Binay: 3 OFWs spared from death in Sabah

MANILA, Philippines - Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were spared from the death penalty in Sabah after the Malaysian government granted them pardon, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay, who is in Kuala Lumpur attending the Philippine-Malaysia Investment Partnership forum, identified the three OFWs as Basi Omar, Jalima Salleh and Aldipal Hadani.

He thanked Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman for granting pardon to the convicted Filipinos.“We sincerely appreciate the grant of pardon and see it as further validation of the strong ties between the Philippines and Malaysia,” said Binay, also concurrent presidential adviser on OFWs’ concerns.

Early this year, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya urged Sabah Governor and Pardons Board chairman Tun Datuk Seri Panglima to commute the death sentences handed down on six Filipinos, including the three.

The Pardons Board commuted the death verdict on Omar to 13 years imprisonment.

On the other hand, the death sentences for Salleh and Hadani were reduced to 15 years imprisonment.

The Filipinos were arrested in Malaysia for drug possession.

Binay cautioned Filipinos in Malaysia not to be lured by criminal syndicates into becoming drug mules or to engage in the illegal drug trade.