OFW killed in Hong Kong fire was set to come home for Christmas, family mourns loss
- Maryan Pascual Esteban planned to reunite with her family and 10-year-old son this December
- Her grieving parents in Isabela are pleading for the immediate repatriation of her remains
- Government agencies assured financial aid and full support for the young boy she left behind
- The child hopes to become a firefighter one day so no one else loses their life in a blaze
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The family of Maryan Pascual Esteban is grieving the tragic loss of the 40-year-old overseas Filipino worker who died in the massive fire that swept through a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong.
Source: UGC
Esteban had been looking forward to flying home on December 16 to spend Christmas with her family and reunite with her 10-year-old son.
Her parents in Jones, Isabela are struggling to accept the painful reality as they wait for updates from authorities.
In the report, her mother said, "Our Christmas would have been so happy, but this happened."
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The family shared that the tragedy struck on the same day as the birthday of Esteban’s father, Jaime, making the loss even more unbearable.
Jaime expressed his hope for immediate repatriation.
He said, "I hope they can hasten the return of her remains."
The family has been unable to prepare any form of celebration as they continue to mourn the sudden death of their daughter.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have assured the family that support is on the way.
The two agencies also visited Esteban’s young son in Cainta, Rizal to personally extend assistance, including educational support that will continue until he completes college.
Esteban had been working in Hong Kong for four years, following a decade-long stay in Lebanon.
She was close to securing custody of her son upon her return. The deadly blaze that took her life has now claimed at least 151 fatalities, affecting many Filipinos living in the complex.
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is also helping survivors by providing relief goods and assisting with lost documents.
As for Esteban’s son, he said he dreams of becoming a firefighter someday so he can help ensure no other family suffers the same fate.
In Digos City, the local police chief has been named a Person of Interest in the killing of Barangay Captain Oscar Bucol Jr. He was immediately relieved from his post to ensure an impartial investigation, especially since he had been involved in previous public disputes with the victim. As authorities broaden the inquiry, around two dozen officers from the Digos City Police Station have undergone paraffin testing. Officials also announced a P2-million reward—funded by Vice President Sara Duterte and Governor Yvonne Cagas—for any information that could help identify and capture the individuals behind the crime.
In a separate incident, an employee of the New Bilibid Prison was arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal dr&gs into the facility. The suspected methamphetamine was concealed inside dough and placed underneath several pieces of pandesal. Her arrest prompted a search of the cell of an inmate she frequently visited, where authorities discovered 33 more packets of the same substance. According to the Bureau of Corrections, the staff member will be charged under the Dangerous Dr&gs Act and will also face swift administrative proceedings that will lead to her dismissal.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
