Pardon saves 2 Pinoys from death row in UAE

MANILA, Philippines — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned three convicted Filipinos – two of them on death row due to drug trafficking, Malacañang announced the other night.

President Marcos had phoned and thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday for granting his request to pardon the three Filipinos, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

In a statement, the PCO said it was Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. who first informed Marcos about the pardons late Thursday after receiving a message from UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi.

The PCO quoted Alzaabi’s message to Abalos as follows: “Good evening, Secretary. I am pleased to inform you that the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for three Filipinos, two of which are sentenced to death because of drug trafficking and one sentenced for 15 years for the crime of slander, has been granted for humanitarian pardon by our President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

In two separate letters last April 27, Marcos asked Sheikh Mohamed to grant the three Filipino prisoners pardon.

During their phone conversation, Marcos also thanked the UAE leader for extending assistance to families displaced by the ongoing Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay.

The UAE has sent 50 tons of food supplies and medicines.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed noted the valuable contribution of some 600,000 Filipinos working in his country.

Marcos told his counterpart he is thankful for their mutual efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and mentioned “the very good treatment of Filipino nationals in the UAE.”

Towards the end of their conversation, Sheikh Mohamed reiterated his invitation to Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) in December. Marcos in turn invited Sheikh Mohamed to visit the Philippines.

The invitation to visit Dubai was first relayed to the President by UAE Ambassador Mohamed during his courtesy call in Malacañang last week.

In an interview in Taguig City on June 15, Marcos said he is keen on attending the COP28 in Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.

News about the UAE pardons drew elation from the OFW party-list group in Congress, with Rep. Marissa Magsino thanking Marcos for initiating the appeal on behalf of the three convicted Filipino workers.

“These highlight our efforts to protect the welfare of our workers on death row abroad. It is really important to provide them legal assistance to defend them and to reverse their sentence,” Magsino said.

She noted how much of a “life-threatening challenge” it is for OFWs to deal with the “risk of getting criminally charged [abroad], whether with factual basis or merely fabricated, and face the possibility of incarceration or meted with the death penalty as the penal laws of the host countries may impose, if found guilty.”

Magsino stressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the government’s support in the ongoing legal battles faced by Filipinos working overseas and ensure improved conditions if they are incarcerated.

This assessment aims to establish and execute immediate and enduring policies, as well as effective assistance programs, with the ultimate goal “to save their lives and to serve justice,” she said. — Sheila Crisostomo