Remains of Ilonggo OFW from S. Korea may arrive this week

By Perla Lena

May 22, 2018, 8:47 pm

ILOILO CITY -- The skeletal remains of 34-year old Angelo Claveria are expected to arrive in his hometown in Cabatuan, Iloilo before the end of this week. 

Jeanette, the younger sibling of Angelo, on Tuesday said that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is now facilitating the required documents to fast track the repatriation of their brother’s bones.

She added that they went to the OWWA office on Monday to submit a letter request signed by their mother, Angelita.

Also, the special power of attorney (SPA) was already authenticated by the central office of the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday and was sent through courier to the Philippine Embassy in South Korea.

She said they were informed that the document will arrive in South Korea in two to three days.

Jeanette added that there was no assurance as to the exact date the bone remains will arrive but she was informed that the Philippine Embassy was just waiting for the SPA.

In her SPA, the mother has authorized Glenn Corpin, Assistance to Nationals Officer and Attaché of the Philippine Embassy in South Korea, to process the repatriation on behalf of the Claveria family.

The OWWA will just update the family regarding the details of the repatriation. The family no longer has to go to Manila but will just wait for the remains at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Meantime, the family is now preparing for Angelo’s funeral, hoping to hold a five to seven days wake.

The Claveria family earlier sought the assistance of Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to fast track the repatriation.

Go through a text message on Friday evening informed the family that the OWWA will process and shoulder the cost of the repatriation.

Jeanette said they met with Consultant for Western Visayas Jane Javellana and was informed that if Angelo’s remains will arrive before May 27, then Go may drop-by on May 27.

Jeanette, who is also an OFW will go back to Bahrain in the afternoon of June 3.

She asked for an emergency leave after learning of what happened to her brother.

Meantime, the OWWA benefit of Angelo will be used for his burial and any remaining amount will go to their mother, she said.

Angelo left to work as a metal cutter in a factory in Hwaseong, Gyronggi Province, South Korea in July 2014. The last time he communicated with his family was Christmas Eve of 2015.

In April a report broke out in South Korea about “human bones inside a water purifier facility.” The jacket seen inside the purifier was similar to the one worn by Angelo in one of his pictures.

In April 20, the Korean Consulate took DNA specimen samples from their mother in Iloilo. In May 3, reports by various news organizations confirmed that their samples matched. (PNA)

Photo from Angelo Claveria FB Page

Comments