Twenty-two-year-old Romilyn Eroy-Ibanez died from acid burns and stab wounds in Alkhobar.

“After the police investigation and when the perpetrator of the crime has been established, we will hire the best lawyer to fight the case,” Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor told Arab News on Thursday.

Legal support will come from the department’s Legal Assistance Fund (LAF).

Villamor said he would seek an audience with Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Fahd to ask for his assistance.

Ibanez was found in her employer’s kitchen with knife wounds in her neck, abdomen, and wrist as well as acid burns on her face, arms and legs.

An almost empty container of sulfuric acid was taken from the scene, according to a report from Philippine Embassy Vice Consul Paul Saret.

Ibanez was taken to King Fahd Hospital in Alkhobar by the Red Crescent.

Labor Attache David Des T. Dicang of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern Region (POLO-ERO) told Arab News on Thursday afternoon that he recently called the victim’s relatives in North Cotabato, southern Philippines, to inform them of Ibanez’s death.

“Requesting that their names not be mentioned to the media, they asked for the help of the Philippine government — the DFA, the Philippine Embassy, and the POLO-ERO — so that justice could be administered on their behalf,” Dicang told Arab News.

He also said that according to the police, an autopsy on the victim’s body had not been completed as of Wednesday.

“At present, the victim’s body is still at the Dammam Central Hospital,” said Dicang.

He said that a police report on the case was expected by Saturday.