Pardoned Pinoy in Saudi death row not out of danger yet

An overseas Filipino worker who was saved from death row in Saudi Arabia last February is not out of danger yet, as he claimed the Saudi and Philippine governments have not deposited the blood money to ensure his freedom.

Rodelio Celestino “Dondon” Lanuza said in an interview with Saudi news site Arab News that the aggrieved family may withdraw its forgiveness if the blood money is not paid.

"The aggrieved family may withdraw the forgiveness they issued earlier unless the blood money is paid," he said in the report.

Arab News said the Philippine embassy could not immediately reached for comment.

Last month, Vice President and presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers concerns Jejomar Binay said the Saudi government agreed to pay SR2.3 million (about P24.9 million) in blood money sought by kin of the man Lanuza killed.

Binay said the amount is the balance of the SR3 million sought by relatives of the victim.

Since 2000, Lanuza - who worked as draftsman in the Kingdom in 1996 - had been languishing in jail for the killing of Saudi national Mohammad bin Said Al-Qathani.

He claimed he stabbed Al-Qathani dead in self-defense but was sentenced to death by beheading in 2002.

Letter to PNoy

Arab News said Lanuza's parents Eduardo and Letty, who are based in the United States, have sent a letter to President Benigno Aquino III.

It quoted the letter - excerpts of which were posted on Facebook - as asking Aquino "for the approval and release, as soon as possible, of the allotted SR400,000 or $100,000 which was committed for OFWs on death row.” - VVP, GMA News

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