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Pinoy sentenced to death in Saudi files appeal


An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia last April 13 for stealing from and killing his Sudanese landlord in June 2009 has appealed his case before the court. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said the Philppine government is exhausting all means to help Joselito Zapanta. "With the assistance of the lawyer hired by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Mr. Zapanta was able to file an appeal, and file it on time," Conejos said in an article on the DFA website. “Following the sub judice principle, the DFA is working quietly in contacting the victim's family and will refrain from any public discussions on the case," Conejos said. “I urge all private interested parties to exercise circumspection in issuing public pronouncements regarding this case so as not to jeopardize ongoing efforts to save his life," he added. Conejos declined to further discuss the case, which he said is now in a sensitive stage and may jeopardize Zapanta's chances for clemency. A native of Mexico town in Pampanga province, Zapanta had argued with his Sudanese landlord when he refused to the demands to pay rent in advance, since his payment was not yet due. During their argument, he killed the Sudanese by hitting the victim with a hammer. The OFW also admitted to the police that he stole his landlord’s wallet and mobile phone, which he later gave to a Filipina. The Filipino woman was later convicted and imprisoned as accomplice in the crime of robbery. But with efforts from the Embassy, she was repatriated back to Manila in January 2010 after serving her sentence.—JV, GMANews.TV

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