Binay seeks help for OFW facing death in Saudi

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay urged yesterday the Filipino people to help the government and the family of a convicted Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia raise P30 million in blood money for his freedom.

Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) concerns, made the appeal after being informed by the Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia that Joselito Zapanta, 33, is due for execution next month.

Zapanta, a tile setter, was found guilty of killing his Sudanese landlord in Saudi Arabia and was given the death penalty in 2009.

“I hope that you can help us (government and Zapanta’s family) raise the remaining P30-million blood money that will set Zapanta free. I received a letter from our ambassador to Saudi Arabia asking me to seek the help of the King of Saudi Arabia so that we can pay the blood debt. I am also asking all of you to please pray for Mr. Zapanta because his execution is scheduled for next month,” Binay said.

He said that with the help of Filipinos and the government, the family of Zapanta was able to raise P5 million.

Binay said that through a series of negotiations and pleadings with the family of the victim, they agreed to lower the blood money to over P30 million.

Zapanta, who was originally scheduled for execution last June 8, was given until Nov. 3 to raise the blood money.

The Sudanese’s family agreed to extend the deadline through the intercession of the Saudi government in response to requests made by President Aquino and Binay.

The Zapanta family has  so far raised 512,066.35 Saudi Arabian riyals or P5.6 million.

Zapanta arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2007 to work as a tile setter to support his parents and two children.

Two years later, he had an altercation with his Sudanese landlord who was later killed by the OFW.

Binay said that Zapanta’s family is poor and cannot raise the remaining P30 million.

The government, Binay said, has deposited in Saudi Arabia the equivalent of P4 million, the standard amount allotted for blood money cases that qualify for government assistance.

The provincial government of Pampanga led by Gov. Lilia Pineda has also embarked on a fund-raising campaign for Zapanta.