Former Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor recently visited the kingdom with the aim of encouraging more Filipinos to help save Rodelio “Dondon” Celestino Lanuza from the gallows.
Villamor met with Pinoy community leaders and Filipino schools around the kingdom to raise the needed blood money.
Lanuza has been in jail since 2000 and was sentenced to be beheaded for the alleged murder of Saudi national Mohammad Al-Qathani.
Capital punishment or death penalty in Saudi Arabia is imposed on crimes ranging from armed robbery, rape, adultery, drug smuggling, witchcraft and sorcery, apostasy or renouncing of Islam, homosexuality and murder. It is usually carried out by beheading.
The only way to save Lanuza from the gallows is to secure the forgiveness of the victim’s family (tanazul) and by paying the blood money (diyya).
According to Villamor, the Tanazul or Act of Forgiveness has already been given by the parents of Qathani more than a year ago or in February 2011.
The victim’s family is asking for 3.5 million Saudi Riyals, or almost P40 million in blood money, in exchange for Lanuza’s Life.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs can only provide P4.56 million or 400,000 Saudi Riyals.
Filipino-American businesswoman and known philanthropist, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, and with the help of friends were able to raise the equivalent of 2 million Saudi Riyals.
During a meeting with the Filipino community leaders in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, Villamor was able to raise a few thousand Saudi Riyals in collection and pledges from Filipino organizations and schools in the area.
The big challenge now is to raise the balance for the required blood money. Filipinos around the world is urged to help in whatever way they can to complete the blood money.
Those willing to help may visit www.helpdondon.com
Source: ABS-CBNNews, April 10, 2012
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