OFW in death row for over 10 years to be freed soon

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday announced the issuance of an affidavit of forgiveness in favor of Rodelio Lanuza, the overseas Filipino worker sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia in 2001.

“The Saudi Royal Court in Dammam has confirmed that the victim’s family has already issued a tanazul, or affidavit of forgiveness, in favor of Dondon Lanuza,” said Binay, who is also at the helm of the country's OFW concerns.

Binay said Lanuza received a text message from Sheikh Ahmad Al Othaimen, head of the Saudi Royal Court in Dammam, saying that the family of the victim had already issued the tanazul.

Lanuza was in the death row for unintentionally killing in 2000 a Saudi national after the latter allegedly tried to sexually abuse him. The Saudi's highest court affirmed his death penalty in 2001 but the family's victim pardoned him 10 years after and asked for blood money.

Lanuza's family was not able to complete the blood money but Laniza was still spared from execution upon the pardon given by the King of Saudi through the help of the Philippine government.

On March this year, the Philippine government has paid the Saudi court the remaining 700,000 riyals or P7.6 million contribution to the blood money needed for his release.

“Basta't ang sigurado ay hindi na siya bibitayin. Iyan siguradong-sigurado,” Binay said, adding that the Saudi government shouldered half of the needed amount for the blood money which saved Lanuza's life.

The Saudi government shouldered 2.3 million riyals (P25 million) of the total 3 million riyals (P33 million) to spare Lanuza’s life.

Binay said that it would now be up to the Dammam court to issue the release order for Lanuza.