JEDDAH, 14 July 2004 — A Filipino who is on trial for killing a compatriot may escape capital punishment after the victim’s family agreed to accept “blood money,” Arab News learned yesterday.
Melvin Obihera, a native of Leyte province in the central Philippines, had been languishing at the Briman prison in Jeddah for more than a year, awaiting a final verdict.
Records from the Philippine Consulate showed that on June 20, 2003, the 37-year-old Obihera stabbed and killed his colleague, Andres Winnie Cabanducos, after a heated altercation.
Obihera has argued in court that he acted in self-defense.
Under local laws, Obihera faces the death penalty if found guilty of the charge.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, which was in contact with the family of the victim, has informed the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah that the relatives of Cabanducos have agreed to accept diyah, or blood money amounting to 100,000 riyals from Obihera.
Rene Franco, head of the consulate’s assistance to nationals, described the development as a “breakthrough.”
“At least Obihera will be spared of his life,” he said.
When asked where the money would come from, Franco replied: “The money involved is no longer the issue. That can be arranged or settled ... What’s important is his life.”
Franco added that the consulate is just waiting for the original documents from the victim’s family in Manila to be submitted to the court.
Even if the blood money is settled, however, the court will still have to decide on Obihera’s remaining prison sentence.
