Categories: OFW News

The primary suspects of Joanna Demafelis who was found dead in freezer arrested

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday night that one of the the principal suspect in the murder of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joanna Demafelis in Kuwait is now in the custody of authorities in Lebanon.

The second suspect in the brutal murder of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis is now in the custody of Syrian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Saturday night.

Joanna Demafelis, 29, was found frozen in her employers’ apartment more than a year after she was reported missing.

Read Body of Filipina maid found in freezer in Kuwait.

Both Nader Essam Assaf and his Syrian wife Mona are being held on suspicion of murder, officials said on Saturday.

Mr Assaf, who is a Lebanese national, was transferred to Beirut but his wife remains in custody in Damascus.

DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said he has informed President Rodrigo R. Duterte about the arrest of Nader Essam Assaf, a Lebanese national, who together with his wife, Mona, a Syrian national, are tagged principal suspects in the brutal torture and murder of the 29-year-old domestic helper from Sara, Iloilo.

“The President welcomes the news that Nader Essam Assaf is now in the hands of authorities in Lebanon,” Cayetano said in a statement. “Assaf’s arrest is a critical first step in our quest for justice for Joanna and we are thankful to our friends in Kuwait and Lebanon for their assistance.”

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait reported the arrest of Assaf to Manila the same day the chief executive visited the wake of Demefelis and assured her family that the goverment will seek justice for her and other OFWs abused by their employers abroad.

The DFA said Assaf and his wife have been the subject of an Interpol manhunt after Kuwaiti authorities discovered early this month the battered body of Demafelis inside a freezer in the couple’s abandoned apartment unit more than a year after her family reported her missing.

Kuwaiti authorities conveyed the arrest of Assaf to Ambassador Renato Villa during a meeting at the Ministry of Interior on Thursday.

In the meeting, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Tarah, assistant undersecretary for General Security Affairs, disclosed to Villa that Interpol Lebanon had notified Interpol Kuwait that Assaf is now in custody but that his wife is still at large and is believed to be in Syria.

The arrest of Assaf came several days after Cayetano was assured by Kuwaiti Ambassador Mousaed Al-Thwaikh that Kuwaiti authorities will do everything they can to find the suspects and bring them to justice.

Cayetano said he expects Kuwaiti authorities to request the extradition of Assaf so he could stand trial in Kuwait.

From his end, Cayetano said that in response to the Demafelis murder, both the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment would work together to carry out the President’s instructions to ensure that Filipino migrant workers are adequately protected in host countries abroad



Share
Published by
Juan in Oman

Recent Posts

OWWA Scholarship Application for SY 2025-2026 is Now Open!

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has officially announced that applications for its scholarship programs,…

3 weeks ago

DFA and Comelec Gear Up for 2025: Online Voting for Overseas Filipinos Set to Launch

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said preparations are ongoing for the implementation of online…

3 months ago

Philippine Embassy in Muscat is open every last Friday of the month

Starting this September, the Philippine Embassy will now be open every last Friday of the…

3 months ago

LTO to Launch Online Driver’s License Renewal for OFWs This Year

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to roll out an online platform for driver's…

4 months ago

5 Ways to Earn Via Social Media as an Overseas Filipino Worker

In today's digital age, social media has become more than just a platform for staying…

4 months ago

Introducing the better and improved DWM Mobile App – OFW Pass

Calling all Filipinos working abroad! The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) wants you to know…

4 months ago