DFA to shoulder repatriation of drowned newlyweds’ bodies

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will shoulder the expenses for the repatriation of the remains of the newlywed couple who drowned while on their honeymoon in Maldives.

Nikko Quiogue, a friend of Leomer and Erika Joyce Lagradilla, said the couple’s family met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. yesterday.

“DFA confirms to shoulder the full costs of getting Leomer and Erika back home. We are beyond grateful and happy that Eka and Mer can finally rest, having their loved ones around them,” Quiogue said in a post on Facebook.

Locsin said it is the right of the couple’s family to demand help.

“The Assistance to Nationals Fund is for nationals in distress and not for national officials to spend on themselves,” Locsin said on Twitter.

He said the couple’s friends stopped their fundraising to bring back the remains of Erika and Leomer after the DFA responded to shoulder the repatriation expenses.

Leomer and Erika, from Lumban and Sta. Cruz towns in Laguna, respectively, were the eldest among their siblings and family breadwinners.

Pinoy drowns in New Zealand

Meanwhile, Filipino student Kent Espinosa, 26, drowned in New Zealand last Friday.

Ambassador Jesus Domingo said Espinosa, who was on his school break from Auckland, was swimming with friends at Whangarei Falls when he drowned.

Domingo said the embassy is coordinating with New Zealand authorities for the issuance of appropriate visas for Espinosa’s sister, who will fly from the Philippines to bring home his remains.