PINOY EXECUTED IN SAUDI ARABIA

THE Philippine government on Tuesday reported that a Filipino on death row in Saudi Arabia has been executed.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Filipino, whose name was not mentioned, was executed for the crime of murder.

 “We regret to confirm the news that a Filipino has been executed in Saudi Arabia for murder,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said the Philippine government provided legal assistance and exhausted remedies to save the Filipino’s life but the victim’s family refused to accept blood money in return for forgiveness of the Filipino, and so the death penalty was meted.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippine government dedicated years to negotiate the case of the executed Pinoy and provided legal assistance.

In an interview ahead of his flight to Lao People’s Democratic Republic for the ASEAN Summits, President Marcos lamented the unfortunate news.

“I remember, mga 5, 6 years din. I came upon it when I came into office and they told me it’s an old… And as I said, I guess Saudi tried to exhaust all possibilities. So, did we, but to no avail,” the President said.

President Marcos previously wrote a letter to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, appealing for the Filipino’s life.

The government has also provided legal assistance and representation to the Filipino throughout the proceedings.

“Unfortunately, the law there (in Saudi Arabia) is very strict. And apparently the conviction has stood and one of ours has been taken away,” the President said.

President Marcos extended his condolences to the bereaved family and assured the government is ready to help bring home the remains of the executed OFW.

The DFA said the OFW pleaded guilty to killing his Saudi Arabian business partner. The incident happened in 2020.