The commutation of Nonito Abono's sentence was made possible through the vigorous representations of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to persuade the families of the victims to grant the affidavit of forgiveness, reported Filipino television channel GMA7, quoting the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The embassy secured Abono's release after making representations to spare his life; Abono, who was originally sentenced to 10 years in jail, served two-thirds of his sentence.
Abono was also released after the families of the victims agreed to forgive him in exchange for blood money, thus settling the private rights aspects of the case. “The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) assisted his family by raising the blood money asked by the victims’ heirs.
To further expedite his release and repatriation, the DFA's Legal Assistance Fund was utilized to cover the payment of the penalty for the expiry of his iqama (residence permit)," the DFA said.
Abono paid a courtesy call to DFA Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. to thank them for their efforts to secure the commutation of his sentence and his repatriation.
The DFA said that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh had been extending assistance to Abono since the inception of the case. The embassy also took the appropriate measure to ensure that Abono's rights under Shariah were protected.
Abono was sentenced to death for killing Emilio Villanueva and Apolinario Catina.
