The body of 27-year-old Marvil Facturan-Kocjancic may be repatriated back to the Philippines from Slovenia tentatively within the week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, as it strongly condemned the tragic circumstances behind her death.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said they are working with the Philippine Embassy in Vienna and Slovenian authorities to facilitate “the immediate shipment of her remains to the Philippines upon completion of all requisite forensic processes.”
“It (repatriation) is possible within the week because we already received the autopsy report, but it is not yet guaranteed,” De Vega said last Monday.
Facturan-Kocjancic allegedly died at the hands of her husband, 30-year-old Mitja Kocjancic, after a holiday vacation in Bled, Slovenia on December 29. The Slovenian national reportedly had a history of mental illness and was committed to a psychiatric facility following the crime.
De Vega said the DFA “expresses its heartfelt condolences” to the bereaved family of the Filipina. He confirmed that the suspect is already under the custody of the Slovenian authorities.
According to the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO), the crime happened after a heated argument between the couple. The agency described Marvil as a “marriage migrant” and hoped her story serves as a cautionary tale.
The CFO reminded Filipinos who are already married or engaged to foreign nationals to attend its Guidance and Counseling program (GCP) before they migrate overseas, even if it is not required for outbound tourists like Marvil.
“Filipinos planning to marry foreign nationals and settle permanently abroad, should register and comply with the migration requirements from the CFO as part of their exit clearance from the Philippine immigration,” the agency said in its latest statement.
The GCP is a special program of the Philippine government intended for the welfare and protection of Filipinos marrying foreign nationals, with legal bases by virtue of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Mail Order Spouse Laws.
“It provides essential information and tools to help them prepare for potential risks and challenges in cross-cultural marriage. It also aims to raise awareness about the issues and concerns they might encounter in their destination country,” the CFO explained.