The Philippine Consulate General in UAE reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the nine Filipino drug convicts were pardoned through the consulate’s representations with Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.
The nine pardoned Filipinos are: Emerson Cruz Cabal, Vivas Morales, Edgardo Garovillas Castillo, Rolando Cabote Arogar, Francisco Magbitang dela Cruz, Rolando Pajarillo Tornito, Reynaldo Barrientos Abejero, George Victor Escubio Carmen, and Ernesto Natabid Rabe.
Consul General Vicente Vivencio Bandillo said the "welcome" move was unprecedented, since only inmates who have served at least half of their jail sentences are eligible for pardon — a goodwill and humanitarian gesture granted only on special occasions.
Of the nine, Arogar and Dela Cruz served the longest time in prison — seven years. Morales was imprisoned for four years.
Under Dubai Emirate penal laws, a life sentence is equivalent to a 25-year jail term.
The Filipinos will be deported to the Philippines as soon as there are available flights to Manila in January. — Pia Lee Brago