OFW parents come home to bury Kae Davantes

MANILA, Philippines – The Davantes family is your typical OFW family – the parents are abroad while the children are in the Philippines.

Family reunions were cherished occasions until this last one.

The eldest daughter Kae was found dead in Cavite last September 7.

Bea Cupin reports.

Overseas Filipino workers Peddy and Beth Davantes had a heart-wrenching homecoming this week. They’re used to eager hugs from their three children.

But on Monday, the couple came home to lay to rest their eldest, 25-year-old Kristelle “Kae” Davantes.

PEDDY DAVANTES
KAE’S FATHER
Kaya ako naiiyak kasi kulang na kami. ‘Yung laging ano, kulang na kami. Hindi na babalik ‘yung dati. (I’m crying because we’re incomplete now. It’s not the same as before.)

Kae was missing last week after a night out with friends in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. She was last heard from around 1 am Saturday, September 7. She was in her car, on her way back home to Las Piñas.

Five hours later, she was found dead under a bridge in Silang, Cavite. Five stab wounds on her body, including one on her neck, her mouth gagged, and her hands tied with a car seatbelt.

PEDDY DAVANTES
KAE’S FATHER
Minsan naiisip ko: Nagkamali ba ako? Saan? I don’t see anything wrong. Hindi ko naman sila pinapabayaan, hindi naman ako nagkulang ng paaral. But again, that’s God’s will, hindi ko alam.(Sometimes I think… did I do anything wrong? I don’t think so. But again, that’s God’s will.)

Born in Saudi Arabia, Kae had a bright future ahead of her. A marketing and advertising graduate, she was one thesis defense away from a master’s degree. She was engaged to be married next year.

PEDDY DAVANTES
KAE’S FATHER
Sayang talaga, lalo na’t…. Pero we are God-fearing people here. Kung ano ang bigay ng Diyos, tanggapin natin. (It’s really is a waste. But we are God-fearing, we will accept God’s will. )

Metro Manila Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr forms Task Group Kae to move the case forward. The NBI begins a parallel investigation. So far, authorities have no leads in the case. The motives behind her death are also unknown.

Kae’s Toyota Altis with plate number PIM 966 remains missing. Police and her family ask the public for leads through the Task Force Kae hotline. Peddy Davantes says the family has accepted Kae’s death but says he is still angry.

PEDDY DAVANTES
KAE’S FATHER
Parusahan ang dapat parusahan. Hindi na ako nag-ano, sabi ko nga, “Lord, just give me a clear heart na mawala ang galit sa puso ko. Galit ako dahil sa ginawa.” (Punish who deserves to be punished. I just tell the Lord, give me a clear heart. Take the anger away . I’m angry because of what they did to her.)

Bea Cupin, Rappler, Manila. –Rappler.com