GUIMARAS – The family of 61-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rosemarie Ga Uzagan who died in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey on Feb. 6 wants her remains repatriated.
Uzagan was a native of Barangay Daragan, Buenavista, Guimaras.
Rosemarie’s nephew, Pastor Winston Ga, told Panay News they received information that Uzagan – married to a Turkish national – was buried in Turkey already.
“Pero nagapangayo kami sang update kay wala ya man ginpakita sa amon nga tuod-tuod gid man nga ginlubong,” said Ga, referring to Uzagan’s Turkish sister-in-law that informed them about the burial.
Rosemarie worked as a domestic helper in Antakya, the capital of Hatay province in Turkey.
In the predominantly Muslim country, the dead are buried within 24 hours from expiration.
“Ang Philippine Embassy sa Turkey ginhatag kag gintugyan nila ang lawas sang amon tiya sa iya bana. May ara sila sang laye didto nga ang custody ara dapat sa bana kag sia ang masunod,” added Pastor Ga.
However, he said the Ga family will coordinate with friends in Turkey to confirm the whereabouts of their aunt’s remains.
“Ti, kon ginlubong ya man wala na kami mahimu. Nagatinguha man kami kontani nga madala sia diri kay siempre may ginakumparar man kami nga lawas sang Pinay didto nga nasapwan man, nga madala diri sa Pilipinas kay ginabuligan sang gobyerno. Actually, dungan to sila ni tita nga nakit-an sang amo to nga adlaw,” said Pastor Ga.
He was referring to Wilma Abulad Tezcan.
The Philippine Embassy, in a statement, stated: “As requested by the daughter and with the consent of the husband, the embassy is arranging the immediate repatriation of the body of Wilma Abulad Tezcan, an OFW whose identity has been previously reported by the media.”
It added: “Her family in the Philippines is seeking consent from her husband regarding the treatment of her human remains.”
Pastor Winston on Friday, Feb. 10, sought the help of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 6 on the matter. He would also ask for help from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
To recall, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, confirmed the passing of two Filipinos on Friday last week, both earlier reported to be missing in Antakya.
The embassy at first did not identify the two, but the Ga family confirmed that Rosemarie was one of them after her Filipina friends in Turkey informed them.
Rosemarie’s death meant losing a thoughtful aunt, sister, and mother figure for the Ga family.
“Sobra pa ya tita ang pagkabig namon sa iya kay sia ya ang natindog bilang nanay namon tanan. She’s more than tita ya para sa amon kay ang ginapakita sa amon indi lang tiya kundi bilang iloy na gid sa amon tanan-tanan,” said Pastor Winston, adding that his aunt’s late marriage and not having children of her own was because of Rosemarie’s dedication to helping the family.
As an OFW for more than 30 years in Hong Kong and Singapore, Rosemarie became the family breadwinner and was able to help her 10 siblings, nieces and nephews.
Last 2019, Rosemarie decided to go to Turkey with her husband after their union through both civil and Muslim ceremonies./PN
