Kuwait court affirms death sentence on Filipina maid

MANILA, Philippines – Kuwait’s highest court has affirmed the death sentence on Filipina domestic helper May Vecina who was convicted for killing the child of her employer last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

DFA Undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs Esteban Conejos said Kuwait’s Court of Cassation handed down the verdict on Vecina at around 11:45 a.m. in Kuwait (4:45 am in Manila) yesterday.

“I just received a call from Ambassador (Ricardo) Endaya that the Court of Cassation has affirmed the death sentence on May Vecina,” Conejos told a news conference.

Conejos said Vecina’s death sentence would be immediately carried out after the Emir of Kuwait confirms the ruling within two months.

Malacañang, on the other hand, assured all efforts are being exerted to save Vecina from being executed.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said the government, through the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, will continue to find ways to save Vecina.

“We are saddened by the ruling handed down by Kuwait (Cassation Court) on May Vecina. However, the government and the embassy will not stop in finding ways to save our countryman,” Saludo said.

Vecina was charged for killing her seven-year-old ward and frustrated murder of two other children of her employer in January last year.

Vecina reportedly slit the throat of the seven-year-old boy and his 13-year-old brother. She also stabbed the eldest sister.

A trial court convicted Vecina in July 2007. The decision was upheld by Kuwait’s Court of Appeals last September.

After learning of the final decision, Conejos said he immediately contacted the husband and sister of Vecina in Cotabato City.

“The family, of course, was very sad,” Conejos said.

He assured the family that all legal remedies are being made by the government to save Vecina’s life.

“There are still legal measures available to us... We will not let any stone unturned,” Conejos said, refusing to give specifics on the “diplomatic initiatives” that he said will be made by the government.

Conejos, however, cited the “tanazul” or the act of forgiveness on the part of the victims’ family remains a remedy open for the Philippine government.

He cited the “tanazul,” as stated under the Islamic Shariah law, is “readily available” as a legal remedy.

Conejos said the Philippine government had provided all forms of assistance to Vecina’s family and hired the best defense lawyers in Kuwait to help Vecina overcome the verdict. — With Marvin Sy