Pardoned OFW Dondon Lanuza one signature away from heading home – VP Binay

Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza, a pardoned overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia, is just one signature away from ending his 13-year stay in jail and finally heading home, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Thursday.

Binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, also said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had already bought a ticket for Lanuza's trip home, although his flight schedule remains uncertain until his exit visa is issued.

“I was informed by (Philippine) Ambassador (Ezzedin) Tago that all that is needed for Dondon to leave Saudi Arabia is for the Emir to sign his deportation order,” Binay said on his Facebook page.

Lanuza has been in jail since 2000 after he was sentenced to death for killing an Arab national. Saudi Arabia's highest court affirmed Lanuza’s death penalty in 2001, but he was pardoned after the victim’s family received SAR3 million in blood money.

Of the amount, the Philippine government paid SAR700,000 while Saudi King Abdullah paid the remaining SAR2.3 million.

Exit visa

Binay said that while the Emir — considered high-ranking Sheikhs in the Muslim world — had issued an order for Lanuza’s release, the Jawasat (Saudi Passport Office) informed jail authorities the Emir's order should specify that Lanuza be deported to the Philippines before his exit visa can be processed.

Citing information from Tago, Binay said the order issued by the Emir was for "'Mr. Lanuza’s release’ only.” As such, he said the Jawasat has instructed the Dammam Reformatory Jail to request for a deportation.

He added a draft of the revised order was sent to the Emir for his signature last week.

Once the order is signed, an advance copy will be sent to the Dammam Reformatory Jail, after which the Jawasat will issue Lanuza's exit visa, he said.

No-objection letter

Binay said Lanuza’s employer already issued a "No Objection Letter" or mukalasa on September 3, which is  needed for Lanuza's repatriation.

Lanuza has also already undergone fingerprinting, another requirement for deportation.

Binay lauded the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh for “meticulously monitoring” Lanuza’s case.

“Case officers have been very vigilant in monitoring Dondon’s case and following up on updates daily, sometimes even hourly. This is proof of the dedication of the Philippine Embassy staff in Riyadh headed by Ambassador Tago,” he said. — KBK, GMA News

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