OFW sentenced to death in Saudi pardoned, freed

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) earlier sentenced to death for a drug-related case in Saudi Arabia was granted pardon and freed Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. The DFA said the Philippine Embassy is arranging the repatriation of the OFW, whose identity it withheld, to Manila soon. "The Embassy is not releasing his name, in deference to the request of the OFW's family for privacy. The OFW was earlier sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 by a tribunal of three judges for involvement in smuggling the illegal drug shabu into Saudi Arabia," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website Monday afternoon. It said Saudi law enforcement agents arrested the OFW in February 2008 after he received a postal package with methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) inside. Smuggling and selling illegal drugs in the Kingdom is a crime punishable by death. Following his arrest, the Philippine Embassy exerted efforts to ensure his legal rights were respected during the investigation process and in trial. "Through the Embassy's efforts, an appeal was filed on the original decision. Based on the appeal prepared by the Embassy with the assistance of counsel, two members of the tribunal reduced the earlier penalty from death penalty to 15 years imprisonment, 1,500 lashes and a karama (fine) of SR100,000 (P1.154 million)," the DFA said. Subsequently, the Embassy included the OFW's name in the list submitted to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud for the grant of Royal Clemency. The DFA said the Embassy's efforts were favorably acted upon, and he was ordered released after serving a total of three years in detention. "Upon release, he tearfully thanked the Embassy for its relentless efforts at working for his release from prison," the DFA said. It said the OFW expressed gratitude to Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ezzedin Tago for the Embassy's tireless efforts on his case. Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, legal officer Jerome Friaz and interpreter Jamel Haris worked relentlessly for his release, the DFA added. The OFW vowed to pursue a different course in his life as a freed man with his family in the Philippines. "His release is testament to the hard work and tireless dedication of the men and women of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh in safeguarding the welfare of every Filipino in Saudi Arabia," Tago said. The DFA said the OFW is the third Filipino sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia whose release was successfully secured by the Embassy. Earlier, Michael Roque was released from prison in February 2011, while Nonito Abono was released in November 2010. — KBK, GMA News