Gov’t doing everything to help 80 convicted OFWs – Binay

MANILA, Philippines - The government is exerting all possible efforts to save 80 Filipinos on death row worldwide,Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Of the 80 OFWs facing the death penalty, 27 are in Saudi Arabia, according to Binay.

Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerns, also expressed his condolences to the family of Joven Esteva, the Filipino driver beheaded in Saudi Arabia last Monday.

Esteva, who hails from General Santos City, was beheaded in Riyadh after the family of his victim, a Saudi national, refused to sign an affidavit of forgiveness needed to stay his execution.

“It is with sadness that we announce the execution of one of our kababayans (countrymen) working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for killing his employer in 2007,” Binay said.

“Even as we grieve and wait for the full report from the Philippine embassy, I ask that we pray for the family of the deceased,” he added.

Esteva, who left the country in April 2006 for Riyadh, was last employed as a family driver.

Likewise, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday expressed sadness for the execution of Esteva.

“Every life is important and we pray for him that his soul may rest in peace through the mercy of God,” said Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMIP).

“This unfortunate event is a reminder for us of the extreme difficulties our overseas Filipino workers go through and experience,” Santos added.

He gave assurance that the Catholic Church would intensify efforts to bring their ministry to OFWs, as he urged the public to “continue to help them through our prayers and constant concern.”

Meanwhile, a Filipina accused of smuggling heroin into Indonesia in 2010 has been sentenced to death. The Philippine government is seeking to stop her impending execution by firing squad by lodging an appeal to have her case reviewed by the judiciary there. – With Evelyn Macairan