By CESAR JOLITO III

A homecoming turned into heartbreak after a 41-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) died inside a bus just as it docked at the Tampi Port in Negros Oriental’s San Jose town.

Police reports revealed the woman (identity withheld upon the request of her family) had just returned to the Philippines from Japan and was on her final leg home to Manjuyod town.

According to Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, the OFW had flown in from Japan to Manila, continued to Cebu, and boarded a bus en route to a roll-on, roll-off trip to her hometown on Monday morning, August 4.

Upon arrival at the Cebu South Bus Terminal, the woman reportedly felt unwell.

She requested the conductor to purchase her ticket and chose to remain inside the bus, too weak to get off.

The woman stayed seated for the remainder of the journey.

When the bus arrived at the San Jose port at approximately 9:30 a.m., a fellow passenger noticed she was no longer responsive.

Authorities were immediately alerted, and the Rural Health Unit responded to the scene.

She was later declared dead, police said.

Medical findings confirmed she died of an acute ischemic attack.

Police added that she had been taking medication for hypertension, a possible contributing factor to her death.

The incident has since gone viral on social media, drawing a wave of sympathy from Filipinos who related to the OFW’s dedication, sacrifice and tragic fate just before reuniting with loved ones.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact duration of the woman’s stay abroad or details about her work overseas.

Meanwhile, the remaining passengers on the bus were transferred to another vehicle on their way to their destination./CJ, WDJ