OFW on Saudi death row forgiven by victim's heirs - Binay

ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA – Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza, the overseas Filipino worker who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for 13 years, has reportedly been forgiven by the victim's family, Vice President Jejomar Binay announced.
"The Saudi Royal Court (SRC) in Dammam has confirmed that the victim’s family has already issued a tanazul, or affidavit of forgiveness, in favor of Dondon Lanuza," Binay said in a press statement
Binay, the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, said case officer Jerome Friaz of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh received a text message from Lanuza on May 22 relaying the information he got that the victim's heirs had already issued the Tanazul.
"Dondon said he got a text from Sheikh Ahmad Al Othaimen, Head of the SRC in Dammam, stating that the family of the victim had already issued the tanazul. Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh were able to confirm the settlement of the blood money and the issuance of the tanazul with Sheikh Ahmad Al Othaimen himself," said Binay.
However, the Vice President do not know when Lanuza will be repatriated as it would now be up to the Dammam court to issue his release order.
"I do not want to speculate as there is a process to be followed. But what I am sure is that Dondon will no longer be executed," he said.
Binay once again thanked Saudi King Abdullah for his generosity in agreeing to shoulder the balance of the blood money for Lanuza. He likewise praised embassy officials for their diligence in following up Lanuza’s case.
"I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who has helped save Dondon Lanuza’s life. May your passion to serve our kababayans never waver," Binay said.
Binay said the Saudi king shouldered P25 million of the P32 million blood money demanded by the victim’s family. Lanuza was sentenced to death for killing a Saudi national in 2000.

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