Dubai: The news of the brutal murder of a Filipina allegedly by her own nephew shocked the Filipino community in the UAE on Thursday, prompting them to call for justice for the family.
Dubai Police on Wednesday identified the headless body of a woman found in Dubai in May as Maria Normita de Lima, 46, a domestic worker based in Abu Dhabi. The victim was said to have been allegedly murdered and dismembered by her nephew over a dispute about paying back the money he owed her.
“Of course, it’s shocking that such a violent incident happened, especially in a low-crime environment such as the UAE,” Albert Alba, a community leader and media professional, told Gulf News.
Although a similar crime took place in August 2012 when a Filipina businesswoman was found murdered and dumped in the trunk of her car by a Filipino friend over the money he owed her, Alba believes the recent incident is an isolated case.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that people should be scared. Undeniably, there could be a negative impact on the community, but it shouldn’t also be taken as a general conclusion that [Filipinos] are violent people,” Alba said.
Art Los Banos, a prominent social worker in Dubai, said his thoughts and prayers are with Salvio, Normita’s husband, and their two children, aged 13 and 15.
“May the two teenage children of the victim find comfort and guidance from their father and relatives,” Los Banos said.
“Moving forward, best is to ask ourselves the primary reason why we are in a foreign land. The answer will clearly be a reminder that we should maintain upright lives because many people back home are depending on us,” he added.
Susan Francisco, a migrant rights advocate, hoped that truth and justice would prevail. “I pray that the family would get justice.”
