CFO urges pre-migration counseling for Filipinos marrying foreigners

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) urges Filipinos planning to marry foreign nationals and settle abroad to attend its Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) before migrating.

This recommendation follows the tragic death of Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič, who was allegedly killed by her Slovenian husband on December 29, 2024.

The GCP provides essential information about potential risks such as domestic violence, human trafficking, and cross-cultural barriers to help prepare marriage migrants for their new environment.

While the program is not required for outbound tourists like Marvil, who left on a tourist visa, it could have helped assess potential risks such as criminal records of foreign spouses.

The CFO and the Department of Foreign Affairs condemn the tragic incident and are working with Slovenian authorities to repatriate Marvil's body after forensic processes are completed.