Pinoy convicted of gold smuggling in Bangladesh freed

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino seafarer convicted of gold smuggling in Bangladesh walked out a free man from the Dhaka Central Prison in Bangladesh after 14 years in prison.

Wilfredo Rosales was turned over by Dhaka jail authorities to the Philippine embassy in Bangladesh for repatriation to the Philippines nine days after Philippine Ambassador to Dhaka Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago requested Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed’s intercession.

Rosales was received by Consul Alfredo Borlongan who will escort him back to Manila.

Rabago appealed to Ahmed for the immediate release of Rosales and followed it up in all her talks with Bangladesh Foreign Ministry officials.

Rosales was arrested in the southern port city of Chittagong in 1993 and convicted in 1997.

The embassy provided him with a lawyer, but the Bangladesh High Court sustained the 14-year sentence given by the lower court.

He was scheduled yesterday to leave Dhaka for the Philippines. – Pia Lee-Brago