28 September 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Belen F. Anota reported to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo that the Embassy is now arranging for the return to the Philippines of the body of OFW Aline Dioleste Arguelles who died in Singapore on 24 September 2005  and is closely communicating with the Jurong Police and the Coroner in ascertaining the cause of the OFW’s death.

Ambassador Anota reported to the Secretary that the Jurong Police received a call at around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, 24 September 2005, informing them that OFW Arguelles was found at the ground floor of her employer’s apartment building at Jurong West St.    Upon arrival of the police at the apartment building, Ms. Arguelles was still alive and rushed to the National University Hospital.  Unfortunately, she subsequently died at 10:51 p.m.  OFW Arguelles hailed from President Roxas, Capiz, and was employed in Singapore as a domestic worker.

Ambassador Anota further reported that 9:00 a.m. of the following day, Vice Consul Mersole Mellejor and Welfare Officer Cristabelle de Leon of the Philippine Embassy proceeded to the Singapore General Hospital Mortuary Services to confirm the identity of the deceased OFW and to meet with the investigating officers Inspector Kiang Wenting and Staff Sergeant Cheng Choong Meng, the OFW’s employer and the employer’s brother.

According to the Embassy officials, OFW Arguelles bore a massive fracture on the left side of her forehead.  The investigating officers also informed them that they found the deceased lying face down at the scene.

Ambassador Anota said that, at this point in time, the Jurong police do not suspect foul play and are continuing their investigation on whether it was an accident that led to OFW Arguelles’ death.  A chair was found just beside the kitchen window from where the deceased was believed to have fallen, as well as two laundry poles immediately beneath the same window.    The police found no signs of violence in the kitchen, the Ambassador stated in her report.

The Ambassador informed the Secretary that a Coroner’s Inquiry would be convened to determine the circumstances surrounding the OFW’s death and that the Embassy would be closely communicating with the Coroner on the results of this inquiry.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes has informed OFW Arguelles’ next-of-kin of her death, and that the Embassy in Singapore was already working for the immediate return of her remains back to the Philippines.  Undersecretary Brillantes also informed the next-of-kin that the cause of death of OFW Arguelles will be known after the Coroner’s Inquiry.

Secretary Romulo instructed the Embassy to continue to coordinate closely with the Singapore police authorities and render all possible assistance in relation to the case of OFW Arguelles. END