In a statement made last Tuesday, Rogelio Dondon Lanuza, who was convicted of killing the Saudi in 2000, confirmed an agreement had been reached through the Saudi Reconciliation Committee. He was sentenced to death in 2001.

Migrante regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona is working with Lanuza to secure his release.

According to Migrante, there are about eight OFWs languishing in various jails in the Middle East, six on death row and four who could be sentenced to death if convicted of their alleged crimes.

“In our efforts to save the lives of OFWs sentenced to death, we will continue our ‘Save OFWs on Death Row’ campaign. The OFWs on death row, like most of their compatriots, were forced through circumstances to accept jobs abroad even if there is no guarantee of their safety and protection,” Migrante said in a statement.

“Let me express my sincerest and utmost gratitude to everyone. God has truly been good that I have never been forgotten. He has brought people to me to keep me awake and look forward to my goal. To my Creator, the glory is always for You. I am now a changed man with a better outlook in life. For the aggrieved family, my utmost gratitude for sparing my life, hearing the plea of my loved ones and giving me the chance to be with them again. This I shall forever cherish,” Lanuza said in his statement.

“This would not have been possible without the efforts of the Saudi Reconciliation Committee which intervened on my behalf to speak to the victim’s relatives and convinced them to forgive me of my wrongdoing. I am so blessed that Eastern Province Gov. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd took time off to closely monitor my case,” he added.