After Vecina’s freedom, what about other Filipinos in jails abroad?

MANILA, Philippines- As flags are waved to commemorate the country’s 111th year of freedom, Norie Gonzales will be waiting for her brothers to call from their jail cell in Saudi Arabia.

Norie’s brothers, Rolando and Edison, along with Eduardo Arcilla, were accused on April 2006 of killing and chopping into pieces three fellow Filipinos in Jeddah. The victims were said to be their rivals in an illegal gambling business, and in their appeals, the detainees claimed they were framed up.

But sometimes, Norie dreads the ringing of the phone. “I’m not sure if it’s good news or bad news," she told GMANews.TV in a phone interview from her hometown in Pampanga. She fears the next call will be from the morgue.

Saudi Arabia never informs relatives of prisoners on death row when the order of execution will be carried out. Last October, Jenifer Bidoya, a Filipino worker convicted in Jeddah, was beheaded to the surprise even of the Philippine post there, and of media, who had not even heard of his case. [See: Group: RP govt liable for ‘neglect’ of beheaded OFW's case]

But when Norie found out on Thursday that another overseas Filipino worker, May Vecina, was granted freedom in Kuwait after more than two years in jail for killing an Arab child, she felt a bit more optimistic. Saudi Arabian King Abdullah can also grant pardon to prisoners.

“I’m hopeful my brothers would be freed too," she said. “They have to be freed. They have to return here to us, to their kids."

Fifty-nine Filipino workers languishing in various jails worldwide are facing the death penalty for crimes ranging from drug possession to murder, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. said the cases cover the period from January 2006 to June 2008. There are 30 active death penalty cases in various stages of appeal, and eight potential death penalty cases that the Philippine government is closely monitoring and assisting.

Most of the cases involve offenses such as rape, drug smuggling and homicide. They are pending in China, Malaysia, Kuwait, Brunei, United States and Saudi Arabia.

Citing data from Philippine foreign posts, Conejos said 87 Filipinos have been sentenced to death since January 2006. Of these cases, 28 were commuted and 12 have returned home after serving their prison sentences.

Unlike the Middle East, China has yet to execute a Filipino convict. Instead, they have so-called suspended cases that allow a stay of execution for two years, with the possibility of commutation to life sentence, if a detainee behaves properly in jail, Conejos said.

On Thursday, Vecina, a 30-year-old mother of two from North Cotabato, was given full pardon by Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah for good behavior during her time at the Kuwaiti Central Jail. [See: Kuwaiti ruler grants full pardon to OFW Vecina]

With Ramadan less than three months away, DFA officials are becoming more optimistic because Middle East governments often turn soft on inmates who have done well in jail during the Muslim holy month.

“We expect more Filipinos on death row will have their sentences commuted, probably even pardoned," a DFA official who requested anonymity said.

It is this generosity in the Middle East that Rowena Ranario hopes will be showered upon her sister, Marilou, another OFW who was sentenced to death in Kuwait for murder. Ranario's death sentence was commuted to life in prison by the ruler of Kuwait in December 2009.

Rowena, who campaigned for the freedom of her sister and other Filipinos on death row, is hoping her sister’s freedom will be granted soon.

“I miss my sister very much. I keep on praying that I'll see her again soon," she said. [See: Timeline: Marilou Ranario case]


MODERN APPEAL. The Facebook group "Help Save a Life" has attracted more than 5,000 members since it was set up. While Rowena doesn’t mind waiting, OFW Rodelio Lanuza is getting impatient.

Lanuza was convicted in 2002 for killing a Saudi national who allegedly tried to rape him. He has drummed up support for his cause through a Facebook account that has gathered more than 5,000 supporters.

He believes his freedom depends heavily on the media’s power of persuasion, and not only on the mercy of the king.

"If I could only get help and attention the same as much as Ms. Marilou Ranario, Sarah Balabagan, Sarah Dematera, etc, got a few years ago then I do believe that freedom is within my hands," he wrote in the social networking site. [See: Facebook account set up for OFW on KSA death row]

For now, most families of Filipinos languishing in jails abroad are pinning their hopes on the generosity of the Middle East's rulers, and perhaps, a little divine help.

"I'm praying and praying and praying for my brothers to return home. Hopefully someone up there is listening," Norie said. - GMANews.TV

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