Joselito Zapanta, on death row in Saudi Arabia for killing his Sudanese landlord in 2009, has been given one more month to raise the blood money needed to spare him from the death penalty.
“His chances are getting better; Mr. Zapanta might not be executed,” said a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) quoting Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on OFW concerns.
Zapanta was convicted for killing his Sudanese landlord, Imam Ibrahim, over a rent dispute in 2009. Ibrahim’s family has asked for SR4 million in blood money.
Binay said that President Benigno Aquino III already gave a “substantial amount” for Zapanta’s blood money on Jan. 21 but that the amount was insufficient.
“First of all, the victim’s wife has not returned to Saudi Arabia yet. She is still in Sudan,” Binay said. “Second, we are still in talks with (Saudi) officials to help us to save Mr. Zapanta.”
No date has been set for Zapanta’s execution.
Aquino earlier formed a team to study and create guidelines on the payment of blood money for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) convicted in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East.
“In a meeting this morning, President Aquino stressed the need for a clear-cut policy on blood money. We know for a fact that OFWs have contributed a lot to our country and there are situations where, for one reason or another, a crime is committed and blood money is required, especially in the Middle East,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a press briefing.
Lacierda said the committee will be composed of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Budget and Management Secretary Forencio Abad, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.
Filipino on death row has only a month left to raise blood money
