'Treat us fairly': Family of Filipino man who died in Jersey accommodation fire lament inquiry delay

ITV News

8 hours ago

The family of a Filipino man who died working on a farm in Jersey say they are desperate for answers after the inquiry into his death has been adjourned.
George Michael Monte De Ramos Castrudes died in January after the flames from a fire he started got out of control and engulfed his accommodation.
His family have since raised concerns about there being no set date for the continuation of the inquiry, after raising concerns about the standard of his accommodation.
The inquest opened at the end of January, with Castrudes' family remotely dialling in from the Philippines.
Andrew Woodward, the coroner, confirmed the provisional cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.
The inquiry into his death was adjourned for July, but this has since been delayed.
Speaking exclusively to ITV, Grace Monte De Ramos Castrudes - George's sister - is calling for answers around the circumstances of his death.
She explains: "We have a lot of difficulties, thinking about how my brother got to that point. No one can explain to us what really happened to my brother.
His body was repatriated to the Philippines in March.
"We were relieved that we saw my brother's body, but at the same time, our hearts have really shattered by thinking that my brother worked so hard in a different country to give a better life for his children, but came home with nothing.
"Even though we have to accept that my brother is gone now, we still need an explanation."
Video footage from Raffy Tuffo in Action
The repatriation of George's body was aided by the Filipino government, and they have offered financial support to his family.
However, the family said they received limited support from the Government of Jersey, and have been saddened by the lack of progress on the inquiry.
Grace says: "We were very disappointed because we had the confidence and the trust that the government in Jersey had the equal application of law, and it is better than the Philippines, but we never heard anything.
"We were expecting that they would dutifully have the inquest in July, but now it is mid-August already and they haven't given us any day or any update regarding the second inquest or the progress of the case of my brother.
"It's a big help to us if it gives any closure or any clearer information about my brother's death. Especially to my parents and to his children, at least we would have peace of mind.
"We are hoping that they will dutifully serve the equal justice for my brother. As humans, we are still hoping that they will treat us fairly."
Grace now says she is concerned for other Filipino workers in Jersey, saying: "It's not about the earnings, it's about life.
"The Filipino has the capacity of mind to work hard to support their family, no matter what; they risk everything, even their life, just to give a better future for their family, especially for their children.
"But, I just want to tell Filipinos that it's not worth the risk. Their family will lose their loved one just for the sake of money.
"My family now have to help each other to accept that George is really gone."
ITV News has received a response from the Viscount's Department, which states: "The Viscount's Department cannot comment on the status of an ongoing coronial investigation.
"However, the coroner's officers are in contact with Mr Castrudes' family, and arrangements are being made for a further hearing in relation to his death later this year.
"We once again offer our condolences to Mr Castrudes' family and friends for their loss.'
ITV News understands that there is a backlog of inquests in Jersey, and this timeline isn't unusual.