Slain Pinay’s kin seek government help to repatriate remains

MANILA, Philippines — The grieving family of 22-year-old international Filipina student Frances Jeyann Ramirez is appealing to the Philippine government for assistance in repatriating her remains after a fatal car accident in Melbourne, Australia.

Frances’ mother Mayne shared with The STAR yesterday that the family struggles to bring their daughter back home to the Philippines.

She expressed frustration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), citing difficulties in understanding the requirements adding that the family was directed to the Overseas Citizen Affairs office, where they were informed about the need for an apostille, prompting them to secure a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) authorizing a friend in Australia to handle necessary arrangements.

“Since we were not able to provide the SPA and other documents needed that were requested, I declined when we knew that we would only receive assistance from the DFA,” Mayne said in Filipino.

She added that they thought the required papers were for the repatriation of her daughter from Australia to the Philippines.

Frances, a native of Lamut, Ifugao was a Bachelor of Health student majoring in Clinical Nutrition and had been studying in Australia since February 2022. She was expected to finish her degree next year.

Around 10 p.m. on Nov. 25, as Frances was returning home from work, she was struck by two cars at the intersection of Hallenstein Street and Hopkins Street in Footscray, an inner-city suburb in Melbourne.

Her housemate, Khyla Celine, was unaware of the incident until Frances’ mother contacted her, revealing the tragic news.

Celine recounted the confusion surrounding the incident, noting a three-day delay before they learned of Frances’ involvement in the accident.

She described the challenges in identifying Frances, explaining the absence of an ID with their apartment address.

Celine clarified that she had met Frances in Australia in May 2022 and confirmed her identity to authorities through personal items such as a distinctive pair of Crocs, which she always wore, and matching keys.

Frances’s remains are currently in a morgue in Australia, awaiting repatriation, according to Celine.