The conviction of the defendant in the murder of overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara was affirmed by the Kuwait Appeal Court, a decision that is welcomed by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, the DMW officer in charge, stated in a statement on Wednesday night that the Gulf state’s appellate court had fully accepted the accused’s 16-year jail sentence—one year for driving without a license and fifteen years for murder. “As instructed by President Marcos, we have apprised the Ranara family of the Court’s decision and guaranteed them of our unwavering support and aid,” he stated.

Cacdac reported that he utilized Zoom to connect with the Ranara family and gave them an update on the events that were happening in Kuwait. “I have directed our Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait (MWO-Kuwait) to collaborate with our hired legal representatives in bringing a civil lawsuit for damages against the offending party’s father,” the statement reads.

In the meantime, a statement was released by HANS LEO J. CACDAC, Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Migrant Workers, stating

Regarding the State of Kuwait Appeal Court’s affirmation of the guilty finding and punishment for OFW Jullebee Ranara’s murder
We applaud the State of Kuwait Appeal Court’s decision to affirm the guilty finding and 16-year prison sentence imposed on the accused in connection with the murder of OFW Jullebee Ranara.
The guilty finding and sentence against the defendants were entirely upheld by the Appeal Court and are as follows:

For driving without a license, you face a year in jail; for murder, you face 15 years.

As instructed by the President, we have apprised the Ranara family of the Court’s decision and guaranteed them of our unwavering support and help going forward.
I’ve given our Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait (MWO- Kuwait) instructions to collaborate with our hired attorneys to file a civil lawsuit for damages against the offending party’s father.