MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. The Philippine Times/PAD– Luvina Dayang, 50, is finally coming home this Friday, February 8. Last Wednesday, a funeral service was held with 13 Filipino-Australians attending– people she never met before. There was not a single relative. It was a quiet, solemn service. If Filos learned of the service earlier, they would have come in drove to sympathize with their kababayan.

Yes, she knew someone in Melbourne, perhaps the reason why she came from Sydney after her visa expired. She was promised a job, they say. But this same person is now in jail accused of killing her. He allegedly bashed and strangled her and put her in two plastic bags then dumped her in the frontyard of a vacant house on View Road in Springvale.

“Body-in-a bag” victim

Australia will remember Dayang as the “body-in-a bag” victim, a tag the Australian media gave her at a time when her identity was unknown. But for many Filipinos, she was a mother who sadly left her hometown Sabang, Baliuag, Bulacan on July 9, 2006 to work as a cleaner in Sydney on a three-month tourist visa. After her visa expired, she still tried to try her luck in Melbourne. She was killed two days after her arrival here. “She sent a text message saying she didn’t have any money and was going to meet someone to get money or to try to find a job,” a family member was quoted saying when news broke about her murder.

“She was bashed several times on the face beyond recognition and was hog-tied before she was wrapped in two plastic bags,” according to Philippine Honorary Consul General Raul Hernandez. Meanwhile, the family friend who is also a Filipino, Danilo Miranda Guingab was the prime suspect. Dayang’s death certificate indicates she died due to neck compression, according to ConGen.

Consul Hernandez was among the 13 Filos who attended the service, officiated by Rev. Fr. Rolyn Vics for Dayang at a funeral parlour chapel in Pascoe Vale. Her coffin remained closed due to her decomposing body. A framed photo of her was placed on top of the casket. ConGen said Dayang has four children, not five as what was reported in the media.

Guingab was arrested at a house in Point Cook last February 4. He appeared on the same day at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court accused of killing Luvina Dayang in December. He was remanded to appear in court for a committal hearing on July 7. Guingab did not apply for bail.

ConGen Hernandez, who talked briefly after the viewing, said the delay in repatriating Dayang’s body was because of a thorough investigation conducted by the Victorian homicide detectives. The officers had to travel to the Philippines to interview members of Dayang’s family as well as conduct DNA samples to assist in identifying the body.

“Another DNA sample was done after the result of the first DNA sample did not match that of Dayang’s,” Hernandez said.

Consul Hernandez suggested to those at the viewing to not only pray for Dayang and her family but for Guingab and his family as well.

ConGen Hernandez said that since Dayang died in Melbourne, her family can claim financial assistance from Victoria’s Victim’s Compensation Fund. The family is now in the process of applying for this benefit.

Those who want to give donations may contact Fr. Rolyn Vics, Filipino Chaplain assigned in St Brigid’s Church, Fitzroy. Fr. Rolyn will visit Dayang’s relatives when he goes to the Philippines next month.

(www.philippinetimes.com.au)