Mother in Kalinga wants to bring home son who died in Malaysia

An 86-year-old mother from Magaogao, Pinukpuk has no other wish but to see his Overseas Filipino Worker son who passed away in Malaysia even for the last time.

Her son, Leopoldo Labbutan, died at 12:30 AM on May 30, 2022 at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru, Malaysia due to Sepsis, Multi-organ failure, and Colitis.

In an interview with Leopoldo’s first cousin, Franklin Balcanak Castro, their 86-year-old aunt wishes for her son to be brought home in Magaogao even for the last time. He said that the octogenarian hasn’t seen him in 3 years and she wants to see his son’s remains in his whole form.

“Maiyawid suna nga buo kuma, isu iti hiling ni mama na,” he said.

3 years as OFW

Leopoldo was 38 years old. He had been working as a waiter while taking other sidelines in Malaysia for three years now.

He recalled that their cousin had no other illness apart from his asthma when he left the Philippines.

However, when he went to work in Malaysia, he developed some health problems without informing his family.

“Haan na inbagbaga. Iti family na ditoy Philippines, awan kaammu-ammu da nga adda kasdiay a sakit na, dagidiay kakabsat na idiay Singapore nga OFW, parang ammu da nga mapan agpapa-check-up isuna nu adda marikrikna na ngem haan da ammu a kasdiay gayam kalala iti sakit nan,” Franklin narrated.

The family only learned about his illness when he was rushed to the hospital on May 25 due to his deteriorating health. Leopoldo stayed at the hospital for five days before he died.

Half a million to bring him home

Currently, the remains of Leopoldo is at the hospital’s morgue. His hospital bills have already been settled, but he is yet to be brought home due to limited financial resources.

Franklin said that in order to fly his remains back home as soon as possible, they have to at least spend around P400,000.

He added that Leopoldo’s family has limited resources as his siblings have their own families to feed while his mother and his only single sibling rely on farming.

Franklin also relayed that it is Leopoldo’s 86-year-old mom’s wish to see him in whole form before they bring him to his final resting place. To help the family, you can send any amount to Franklin Balcanak Castro’s GCash, 09452231256.

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