OFW on Saudi death row may be executed this month - Binay

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay is again asking help in raising blood money for Joselito Zapanta, the overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia who could be executed any time this month for killing a Sudanese national.

According to a post on Binay's Facebook page, Philippine ambassador to Saudi Ezzedin Tago said Zapanta’s family needs to raise at least SAR 1.48 million (P17.5 million) to complete the SAR 2 million being renegotiated with the victim’s family.

Zapanta was meted the death sentence for killing Imam Ibrahim, a Sudanese national.

The victim's family initially demanded SAR 5 million and reduced it later to SAR 4 million for the execution of a tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness and prevent the imposition of the death penalty.

The payment of the blood money was originally due on November 12, 2012, but was extended to March 12, 2013. It was then moved again to November 3, 2013.

We need to raise at least SAR 1.48 M (P17.5 M) to complete the SAR 2 M being renegotiated with the victim’s family.

— Jejomar C. Binay (@VPJojoBinay) January 2, 2014

Binay is again appealing for help since the Philippine government has only gathered around SAR 520,831 so far.

“Once again, I ask everyone to help raise funds for Joselito. Let us start this year by helping save the life of a fellow Filipino and bringing joy to his family,” Binay said.

Donations for Zapanta may be made to the Riyadh Philippine Embassy’s sub-account in the Saudi Hollandi Bank: Account Number 037-040-790-022, International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022, Swift Code: AAALSARI.