RIYADH, 12 December 2004 — Primo Gasmen, the Filipino worker who had earlier been sentenced to death by a local court for killing a Nepalese national, will be a free man soon.

Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla yesterday instructed the Philippine Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals Service (ANS) to expedite Gasmen’s release from prison and repatriation after the Riyadh Grand Court officially declared him free from the death penalty and that he could be released.

Gasmen was sentenced for beheading in 1999 after a local court found him guilty of killing Khim Bahadur Gurung, a co-worker, even though he claimed self-defense.

Minister Counselor Mariano A. Dumia, ANS head, said the Grand Court ordered the prisoner released after Gurung’s family accepted the diya, or blood money, of $15,000, which was raised by various groups and organizations in the Philippines in response to a campaign by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

A DFA press statement said a substantial amount of the money was raised by the popular tabloid People’s Tonight International.

The Philippine embassies in Riyadh and New Delhi and the honorary consulate in Nepal initiated negotiations for the settlement of the case, and after which the heirs of the victim executed an “Affidavit of Forgiveness” after the blood money was paid.

A DFA legal team then flew to Nepal to accompany Gurung’s mother and uncle to Saudi Arabia and appear before Saudi Judge Khonine and personally verify the authenticity of the affidavit as representatives of the Gurung family.

On Dec. 8, 2004, after a hearing at the court, the decision to free Gasmen was handed down. Gasmen was with Philippine Embassy representatives when the decision was read.

According to his sworn statement, Gasmen, who used to work at Al Rajhi and Sons Company, owed Gurung SR1,500. On Dec. 24, 1998, Gasmen claimed that Gurung offered to write off the debt in exchange for sexual favors. Gasmen refused the offer, thus enraging the Nepalese, who attempted to stab him. Gasmen overpowered and killed Gurung in the struggle that followed.

“The court has cleared him now and we are happy for him and his family,” Dumia told Arab News last night.

He said the court has assured the embassy that upon completion of all the necessary clearances and documentation, Gasmen would be repatriated.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jun Israel, ANS assistant head, said Gasmen’s papers will now go back to the police, which will coordinate with jail authorities. After an exit visa and air ticket are secured, Gasmen will fly home.

Meanwhile in Manila, a delegation from the Saudi Majlis Al-Shoura, or the Saudi Arabian Consultative Council, headed by its president, Saleh Abdullah ibn Humaid, paid a courtesy call on the DFA.

Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo took the opportunity to thank Saudi Arabia for its assistance in the efforts for the safe release of Angelo de la Cruz on July 20, 2004. He also requested for the same assistance in current efforts to secure the freedom of Roberto Tarongoy who is still being held by his abductors in Iraq. Romulo also thanked the consideration of the Saudi government of the Philippine ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iraq.

He said that the visit is also an opportunity for the Philippines to raise other matters with Saudi Arabia, such as the Philippine bid for Observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.

On other bilateral issues, Romulo said several agreements are also in the works between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, such as the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, separate agreements on joint cooperation against crime and drug trafficking, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Higher Education, Technical Education and Vocational Training, and an MoU on the Establishment of Joint Bilateral Consultations.