Mindanao Christian, Muslim groups plan prayer rallies for Ranario

Christian and Muslim groups based in Mindanao are planning a series of prayer rallies to save overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Marilou Ranario from the death penalty.

Church-run Radio Veritas reported Sunday that the groups based mainly in Surigao City also appealed to the Philippine government to intercede for Ranario.

The groups called on Malacañang in particular to make representations with Kuwait to spare Ranario from death row.

A Kuwaiti court is likely to hand down on December 27 its decision on Ranario, who was charged with murdering her employer in January 2005.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine government officials are now closely monitoring developments in the case.Philippine ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya reported that the 11-member Court of Cassation heard oral arguments on the case November 13.During the hearing, two highly respected Kuwaiti defense lawyers, Ahmad Qurban and Abdel Majid Khuraibet, argued Ranario’s case at the instance of the Philippine government.For now, the DFA said Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. and Ambassador Endaya are “personally overseeing efforts to save the life of Ranario.

"The DFA said that throughout Ranario’s detention and the judicial proceedings, the Philippine government had spared no effort to assist Ranario and her family.

Philippine Embassy officers have regularly visited and counseled her and attended court proceedings.Also, the DFA said the embassy assisted Ranario’s parents in their travel to Kuwait in April 2006 to visit her at the Sulaibiya Central Jail.

Ranario’s two children have received counseling from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and scholarship from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

On the other hand, the DFA said five seasoned and highly respected Kuwaiti lawyers have so far been provided to defend her.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, vice president Manuel “Noli" de Castro Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo had made representations to Kuwaiti authorities for clemency, the DFA added.

“Through the efforts of the Office of the President, the department and the embassy, tanazuls (affidavits of forgiveness) have been secured from the family of the victim," the DFA added. - GMANews.TV

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