DFA ‘efforts still ongoing’ to save OFW from death
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued an assurance Thursday that it is doing its best to save the Filipina worker whose death sentence was upheld by Kuwait’s high court.
The death sentence on Jakatia Pawa, a 33-year-old domestic service worker, was affirmed by Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on January 19 for the alleged murder of the 22-year-old daughter of her employer. (See: Kuwaiti high court: It’s death for Pinay OFW)
“Low-key negotiations are ongoing with the victim’s family for the settlement of the private rights aspect of the case," DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya said in a text message sent to GMANews.TV.
Malaya said this amid demands by a migrants’ rights group for updates on the case of Pawa.
“Do not leave us in the dark. The people who are committed to saving her life deserve to know the present status of her case. We need to know so that we can think of appropriate actions," said Garry Martinez, convenor of the Save Jakatia Pawa Movement and also the chairperson of Migrante International.
Malaya, however, refused to elaborate on the details of the negotiations, saying this might imperil the Philippine government’s efforts.
“Experience tells us that additional publicity at this point could be counter-productive," he said, adding that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is in constant communication with Pawa.
Forgiveness from victim’s family
DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. earlier said the Philippine government is working for the issuance of tanazul or forgiveness from the victim’s family to save Pawa from the death penalty.
After getting the family’s forgiveness, Vice President Noli De Castro will go to Kuwait to hand over a written letter from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah asking for commutation of her sentence from death to life imprisonment, Conejos said.
An Arab Times report, however, quoted a relative of the victims as saying that the family will not grant Pawa forgiveness even if Arroyo herself comes to Kuwait. (See: No ‘mercy’ even if Arroyo comes)
Farouq Abdulrahim, the victim’s uncle, also said in the report that he is “happy" that the Filipina worker’s death sentence was upheld, adding that the crime has prompted the victim’s family to transfer residence for psychological reasons.
As this developed, the Kuwait Times reported that a Kuwaiti lawmaker questioned De Castro’s supposed visit to the country, saying Kuwaiti court rulings should be respected. (See: MP Barrak against clemency for maid)
"Kuwaiti blood is not cheap and not a subject for political bargains," the report quoted the lawmaker as saying, adding that the Kuwaiti people will never forgive their government if it decides to commute Pawa’s sentence.
De Castro has not visited Kuwait yet as the government awaits the tanazul from the victim’s family. Malaya also refused to comment on the Kuwaiti lawmaker’s remarks.
For its part, Migrante said it will continue to forward appeals to the Kuwaiti government for the commutation of Pawa’s sentence in time for the country’s National Day on February 25, when the Emir usually gives clemency to individuals languishing on death row.
Claim of innocence
Pawa, a mother of two children, is a native of Zamboanga del Norte. She earned a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges in Zamboanga City, now Universidad de Zamboanga.
During court hearings, Pawa denied killing the daughter of her employer, for whom she has worked for over five years, saying the victim’s family members had stronger motives to kill her because of an alleged illicit love affair with a male neighbor.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya has also maintained Pawa’s innocence, as there was no solid evidence to convict the OFW. He said the knife which was used in the murder does not have Pawa’s fingerprints, and there was no blood stain on her dress or body that could link her to the crime.
Around 73,000 Filipinos are working in oil-rich Kuwait, including about 60,000 women employed mostly as domestic service workers.—JV, GMANews.TV
The death sentence on Jakatia Pawa, a 33-year-old domestic service worker, was affirmed by Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on January 19 for the alleged murder of the 22-year-old daughter of her employer. (See: Kuwaiti high court: It’s death for Pinay OFW)
“Low-key negotiations are ongoing with the victim’s family for the settlement of the private rights aspect of the case," DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya said in a text message sent to GMANews.TV.
Malaya said this amid demands by a migrants’ rights group for updates on the case of Pawa.
“Do not leave us in the dark. The people who are committed to saving her life deserve to know the present status of her case. We need to know so that we can think of appropriate actions," said Garry Martinez, convenor of the Save Jakatia Pawa Movement and also the chairperson of Migrante International.
Malaya, however, refused to elaborate on the details of the negotiations, saying this might imperil the Philippine government’s efforts.
“Experience tells us that additional publicity at this point could be counter-productive," he said, adding that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is in constant communication with Pawa.
Forgiveness from victim’s family
DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. earlier said the Philippine government is working for the issuance of tanazul or forgiveness from the victim’s family to save Pawa from the death penalty.
After getting the family’s forgiveness, Vice President Noli De Castro will go to Kuwait to hand over a written letter from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah asking for commutation of her sentence from death to life imprisonment, Conejos said.
An Arab Times report, however, quoted a relative of the victims as saying that the family will not grant Pawa forgiveness even if Arroyo herself comes to Kuwait. (See: No ‘mercy’ even if Arroyo comes)
Farouq Abdulrahim, the victim’s uncle, also said in the report that he is “happy" that the Filipina worker’s death sentence was upheld, adding that the crime has prompted the victim’s family to transfer residence for psychological reasons.
As this developed, the Kuwait Times reported that a Kuwaiti lawmaker questioned De Castro’s supposed visit to the country, saying Kuwaiti court rulings should be respected. (See: MP Barrak against clemency for maid)
"Kuwaiti blood is not cheap and not a subject for political bargains," the report quoted the lawmaker as saying, adding that the Kuwaiti people will never forgive their government if it decides to commute Pawa’s sentence.
De Castro has not visited Kuwait yet as the government awaits the tanazul from the victim’s family. Malaya also refused to comment on the Kuwaiti lawmaker’s remarks.
For its part, Migrante said it will continue to forward appeals to the Kuwaiti government for the commutation of Pawa’s sentence in time for the country’s National Day on February 25, when the Emir usually gives clemency to individuals languishing on death row.
Claim of innocence
Pawa, a mother of two children, is a native of Zamboanga del Norte. She earned a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges in Zamboanga City, now Universidad de Zamboanga.
During court hearings, Pawa denied killing the daughter of her employer, for whom she has worked for over five years, saying the victim’s family members had stronger motives to kill her because of an alleged illicit love affair with a male neighbor.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya has also maintained Pawa’s innocence, as there was no solid evidence to convict the OFW. He said the knife which was used in the murder does not have Pawa’s fingerprints, and there was no blood stain on her dress or body that could link her to the crime.
Around 73,000 Filipinos are working in oil-rich Kuwait, including about 60,000 women employed mostly as domestic service workers.—JV, GMANews.TV
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