Filipino executed for killing a Saudi national—DFA
A Filipino in Saudi Arabia was executed for the murder of a Saudi national, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
According to a report by the Philippine News Agency, DFA Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega said that while there is no official notification yet from the Saudi government, they are confirming that “there was an execution."
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Chargé d'affaires Rommel Romato said that the Saudi government performed the execution without prior notification to the embassy or the Filipino national's family “in accordance with local procedures.”
The said Filipino, whose identity was not disclosed as per the wishes of the family, was sentenced to “qisas” or retribution for murdering a Saudi national due to a financial dispute.
De Vega and Romato said the government did what it could to help the Filipino family, including legal representation and assistance throughout the proceedings.
“We did all we could: appeal, presidential letter of appeal, trying to get the victim’s family to accept blood money… no go,” De Vega told the outlet.
Romato added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also wrote a letter to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in an attempt to reverse the sentence but to no avail.
“However, the victim's family has repeatedly declined opportunities to discuss blood money compensation,” he told the PNA.
“Despite the Philippine government's best efforts, the local court imposed the penalty per Saudi Arabia's judicial processes and applicable laws for the most serious crimes,” he added.
'Terrible tragedy'
The Philippine STAR reported that Marcos called the Filipino's execution a "terrible tragedy."
"It’s a terrible tragedy and there was very little we had left to do. We had very few options left. We tried everything," the President said in an interview with the press.
"The Saudi government really tried to look and to be sure that the judgment....of hanging was actually deserved. And nonetheless, we appealed to the better nature again of our friends in Saudi Arabia to perhaps have another look, and they did. And unfortunately, the law there is very strict. And apparently the conviction has stood and one of ours has been taken away....very unfortunate," he continued, noting that the case went on for five to six years.
The country's Chief Executive expressed his sincerest condolences to the family of the executed Filipino.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them...There is nothing that one can do to make it whole, but we will do our best," he said.
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is working on nine other death penalty cases in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers. (with reports from Alexis Romero)