“We've hired Bader Al-Busaief, whose law office in Alkhobar is associated with a law firm in Washington, D.C.,” Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah told Arab News on Saturday.

The legal fees will be covered by a legal assistance fund set up by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“With the legal service of Al-Busaief, we hope that justice will be administered on behalf of Ibañez's parents and relatives as soon as possible,” Tago added.

Ibañez's parents live in Arakan town in North Cotabato, southern Philippines, while a sister, Annabelle Eroy-Fuertes, is based in Kidapawan City.

After the repatriation of Ibañez's body to the Philippines, her parents will receive death benefits and burial assistance totaling 220,000 pesos from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has suspended the operations of employment agency PRA Solidworks Manpower Resources & Promotion, which recruited Ibañez and sent her to the Kingdom.

The suspension was made on the recommendation of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Eastern Region Operations. The agency could also be investigated for possible recruitment violations.

Tago expressed optimism that the case would be settled as soon as possible.

The Dammam Central Hospital had earlier released an autopsy report, which was sent to the governor's office in Alkhobar.

Before he ended his tour of duty in the Kingdom on Sep. 30, Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor called on Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Fahd to seek his help for a quick and thorough investigation into the maid's death, as well the immediate arrest and detention of the suspect.