“They are asking us to verify if their names are on the list submitted for pardon, and if they are among those who have been pardoned by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said about 20 out of 200 jailed Filipinos at Riyadh's Malaz Central Jail told him that they were asked to fill out clearance forms, a jail formality locally known as basamat. Some of these inmates are concerned because they are still waiting for their turn to be released under the royal pardon for non-violent offenders.
In Al-Hair jail, 25 miles away south of Riyadh, there are 42 Filipino inmates who are also wondering if they have been among those who were granted pardon.
Monterona said most of the inmates have already completed their jail terms and some have been lingering in jails as their bureaucratic formalities are being finalized.
“I tried very hard to explain to Filipino inmates and their families though I can’t answer what they are asking because, in the first place, I don’t have the information,” said Monterona, adding that he has repeatedly asked embassy officials for names of inmates mentioned in a list that was submitted to Saudi officials last month, but that the request has not been fulfilled.
“Only embassy officials knew why they need to keep (the list) to themselves despite repeated requests from us,” said Monterona.
Based on the reports, there are 125 Filipino inmates that have been granted pardon by the committee in charge of fulfilling pardon requests.
“We sympathize with the inmates, especially those who have completed their jail terms and are eager to gain their freedom — full of lessons learned from their shortcomings — and be reunited with their families in the Philippines,” said Monterona.
