Pinoy facing execution in Saudi Arabia gets reprieve

 (GMA News)
November 14, 2012 11:30am

Joselito Zapanta, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) facing execution on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia for killing a Sudanese in 2009, has received a reprieve after the victim's kin relaxed the conditions to spare his life.

Zapanta was scheduled to be executed by beheading on Wednesday after he was found guilty of premeditated murder in 2009.

Initially, the victim's family had demanded SR5 million (roughly P55 million) to be paid by November 14, a post on the Facebook page of Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said.

However, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported on Wednesday that the family of the Sudanese has agreed to lower the blood money it is demanding to SR4 million (roughly P44 million) and has given Zapanta's kin some four months to raise the amount.

"Sobrang laki ang naging trabaho ng ating Ambassador (Ezzedin Tago) sa Saudi Arabia," said Binay, adding that he learned of these developments before dawn on Wednesday.

Binay noted President Benigno Aquino III had written Saudi King Abdullah last October to give Zapanta's family time to raise the amount.

However, Binay explained that in such cases, the fate of the offender rests with the decision of the victim's family.

"Ako naman po ay umapila sa hari ng Saudi Arabia sa isang sulat na ipapadala namin ngayon sa embahada ng Saudi at dadalhin bukas sa Saudi Arabia ng kinatawan ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) para personal na maipaabot kay King Abdullah," Binay said.

He also said the Philippine Embassy has been assisting Zapanta since he was arrested in 2009.

Zapanta's family was earlier reported leaving for Saudi Arabia  to plead for his life, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

In an interview with Jiggy Manicad for GMA Network's “Quick Response Team” program,  Susan Ople, President of the Blas Ople Policy Center, said: “Ang mensahe lang ng pamilya, dasal at panalangin para kay Joselito at pati na rin sa kapatawaran nung kabilang partido.” 

“Sila mismo ay humihingi rin nang tawad doon sa pamilya [ng biktima],” she continued.

Zapanta first went to Saudi as a tilesetter in 2007.

He has two children in Bacolor, Pampanga, ages 8 and 7.