Finardo Cabilao, Social Welfare Attache to Malaysia Found Dead — His Killing May be Linked to His Work Against Trafficking of Pinays, Say NGOs

9 August 2009

The killing of Finardo Cabilao, social welfare officer attached to the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is now being investigated by Malaysian police.

There are several sources of this news report but the article by Andrew Sagayam  of Sun Star entitled Philippine embassy employee found sprawled in a pool of blood appears to provide more details.

According to the Sun Star report, Cabilao "was believed to have been repeatedly assaulted and beaten with blunt objects by more than one attacker."

Another Sun Star report says local NGOs suspect that Cabilao's murder "could be linked to his work in assisting Filipino women who had been kept at various nightspots against their will."

PHOTO UPDATE

12 August 2009

The group picture below is from the Philippine Embassy website in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I can't really tell where Finardo Cabilao is in the picture but he's supposed to be there.  To anybody who knows, I'll appreciate it if you can point it out to us.  

please click on the image to enlarge

PHOTO UPDATE 2

13 August 2009 1:47am Manila time

Well, my first photo update turned out to be a dud.  Thanks to our readers who sent in their comments:

Marie Grace said...

he is not included in the picture he used to be my boss at dswd

August 12, 2009 4:36 PM 

Anonymous said...

Wala pa po siya diyan sa picture kasi I noticed, that was taken year 2007 and Dir. Finardo Cabilao started at the Philippine Embassy in K.L. just last year - June 2008 po...

August 12, 2009 5:05 PM 

rollyocampo said...

To Marie Grace and the other visitor, thank you po for the information. Would you happen to have any picture of Director Fiinardo Cabilao? 

Do you have anything that you can share with us regarding him?

August 12, 2009 6:13 PM 

Anonymous said...

He's got lots of pics on his friendster account...

August 12, 2009 9:46 PM 

Anonymous said...

He was a remarkable person, a good Boss and an honest friend. So full of wisdom and determination to make things better. He was a pride of Social Work. I am truly saddened with what happened to him. Such a tragic loss.

August 12, 2009 9:52 PM 

rollyocampo said...

"He was a remarkable person, a good Boss and an honest friend!"

Just as I thought he was, judging from the number of hits that this post has received. 

His passing will be a tragic loss only if we fail to remember his life's work and pursue the causes that he espoused. Please, tell me how best you believe we can do that. 

I'll highly appreciate it if anybody can email me any picture of Director Finardo Cabilao.

Salamat po sa information!

August 12, 2009 10:30 PM 

rollyocampo said...

Siyanga po pala, I forgot, my email address is rollyocampo@yahoo.com.

August 12, 2009 10:31 PM 

Many thanks to Marie Grace and our other readers.  This time, I believe, I've got Director Finardo Cabilao's pictures.

This one is from his Friendster account:

And this one comes from the website of the Service and Research Institute on Family and Children where Director Cabilao served as a faculty member. 

Our condolences to the family and friends of Director Finardo Cabilao, a distinguished and dedicated public servant!  As I said in responding to the comments, his passing will be a  tragic loss only if we fail to remember his life's work and pursue the causes that he espoused.

UPDATE

18 August 2009 10:46pm

I just posted this update on Director Finardo G. Cabilao's burial today, August 18, 2009 at around 3pm at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

Finardo G. Cabilao, Authentic Filipino Hero, Champion of Trafficked Pinays, Defender of Filipino Honor

God bless Finardo G. Cabilao!