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By Llanesca T. Panti, Reporter
AT least 69 Filipinos were imprisoned in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after
holding a gay show in celebration of Philippine Independence Day,
June 12.
Vice President Noli de Castro, also the
Presidential Adviser on overseas Filipino workers, on Friday
confirmed reports from Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Antonio
Villamor that the 69 Filipinos were arrested but later released
after their sponsors paid fees for their release.
But the Filipinos are “not allowed to leave
Saudi Arabia as they have to face the case to be filed against them
in court,” de Castro said.
Open display of homosexual behavior is strictly
prohibited under Saudi Arabian laws.
“I just want to reiterate to our OFWs
[overseas Filipino workers] to observe the laws and rules of the
country where they work so as not to get into trouble. It would be
best if before embarking on a job abroad to make sure you are
physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically prepared for
the job, aware of the new kind of community, culture you will adapt
to and the laws and rules that you have to follow,” the Vice
President said.
The Philippine government is helping two other
OFWs who are in trouble in Kuwait.
To save Jakatia Pawa from death row, President
Gloria Arroyo has approved the release of around P1.2 million
(around $25,000) to shoulder the appeal of Pawa.
The OFW, a maid, was sentenced to death on April
13 for killing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter.
The Kuwait Court of Appeals affirmed the death
verdict on June 16, prompting the Department of Foreign Affairs to
order Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya to facilitate
the filing of an appeal within 30 days.
The appeal will be made in consultation with top
Kuwaiti criminal lawyers Khaleel Al Qattan and Mohammed Al Saba.
Pawa earlier denied the charges against her and
told the judge that a member of the victim’s family might have
committed the crime.
The option of asking for Letters of Forgiveness
(tanazul) from the victim’s family is being done now, de Castro
said.
“The government is really exhausting all means
to save Pawa from death row and we are optimistic that our efforts
will be fruitful,” he added.
From Kuwait, May Membrere Vecina with 15 other
distressed workers will arrive next week, according to Administrator
Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
At the intercession of President Arroyo, the
Emir of Kuwait Amir Sheikh Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah granted Vecina
full pardon in June 2009.
Vecina, 30, was convicted of murder and two
counts of frustrated murder in 2007. During her trial, she claimed
that she suffered temporary insanity caused by the physical and
mental torture inflicted by her employer.
OWWA regularly visited Vecina in jail and
provided for her legal and other needs.
The agency will help her daughter finish school
under its “Tuloy Aral” program.
-- With Bernice Camille V. Bauzon
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