OFW in Saudi's death row released after blood money paid, forgiveness granted

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — Overseas Filipino worker Nonito Abono had settled back to his family somewhere in the Philippines, following his repatriation here on Thursday last week -- after a reprieve from the death penalty made possible by the humane application of Islamic shari’ah laws in Saudi Arabia.

After his arrival, Abono was received by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos Jr. at their offices in Manila.

Abono expressed his gratitude to the DFA for securing the commutation of his death sentence and his eventual repatriation, facilitated during the time of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Abono had been in a Saudi prison since June 2003, when he admitted to killing two Filipino co-workers inside their workplace a day after a drunken session.

The life sentence meted by the Saudi court was inherent in the criminal aspect of the case. DFA lawyers have argued for Abono’s reprieve by positing that he had served 2/3 of his sentence. The penalties for Abono’s expired “iqama” or residence permit were also paid by the DFA.

The blood money for the victims’ heirs and latter’s “tanazul” or certificate of forgiveness was part of the civilian settlement of the crime, which is strongly encouraged in Islamic laws.

Unless the victims’ legal heirs agree to forgive and accept compensation, a prisoner cannot be released from the criminal penalty meted by the courts.

Both civil considerations helped made possible the reprieve for Abono, who received legal assistance from the DFA from the beginning of Abono’s plight, helping him raise the amount demanded by the victims’ heirs and encouraging the latter to forgive.

It also helped Abono that his victims were not Saudi nationals or another foreigner, but a Filipino.

The embassy in Riyadh also “took the appropriate measure to ensure that Mr. Abono's rights under Shariah law were protected.

Source: Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, November 8, 2010