PH Welcomes Slovakia Assurance of Justice for Filipino Who Was Fatally Beaten Up in Bratislava

CONDOLENCES. Ambassador to Vienna Ma. Cleofe Natividad condoles with the mother of the late financial analyst Henry John Acorda in Bratislava on Wednesday and assures her of government assistance in bringing the suspect in his death to justice. (Photo by Philippine Embassy in Vienna)

07 June 2018 — The Department of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the assurance given by the Prime Minister of Slovakia that the suspect in the mauling death in Bratislava of Filipino financial analyst Henry John Acorda will face justice.

“The Philippines expresses its appreciation to Prime Minister Peter Pelligrini for assuring us that justice will be served for the death of our kababayan Henry John Acorda,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

The 36-year-old Acorda, a financial analyst for a multinational company in Bratislava, died on 31 May 2018, from injuries he sustained a few days after he was beaten up by a Slovak man he earlier prevented from harassing a Filipina companion.

“We also thank the people of Slovakia for standing in grief and solidarity with us over this tragedy,” Secretary Cayetano said after he was informed that Prime Minister Pelligrini has joined Slovaks in expressing outrage over the incident.

"These are very bad signals for our society. Justice must be immediately delivered,” the Slovakian leader was quoted by local media as saying shortly after Acorda succumbed to his injuries, according to the Philippine Embassy in Vienna.

Ambassador Ma. Cleofe Natividad went to Bratislava on Wednesday to personally convey the condolences of Secretary Cayetano to the mother and two siblings of Acorda who he had earlier hailed a hero.

Ambassador Natividad also assured the family that the Embassy will extend all possible assistance to them, including in the repatriation of Acorda’s remains to Taguig and in hiring lawyers to pursue the case against his assailant.

According to Ambassador Natividad, Acorda, who moved from Malaysia to Slovakia just more than a year ago, was with two female companions from the Philippines and Poland when the incident happened.

She said Acorda was attacked by the suspect, identified as Hiraj Hossu, 28, when he tried to stop him from harassing the Filipina. The incident, which happened at around 4:30 a.m. along Obchodna Street, was caught on CCTV.

Ambassador Natividad said Hossu went after Acorda, knocked him to the ground and then kicked him violently in the head, rendering him unconscious. CCTV footage showed Hossu punching and kicking Acorda even as he laid motionless on the street.

Ambassador Natividad said Hossu is in custody and has been charged with manslaughter.

Ambassador Natividad said the Embassy is coordinating with the family on the final arrangements for Acorda’s repatriation to the Philippines. END