Binay seeks media’s help on OFW’s ‘blood money’

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has sought the help of the media to disseminate information about the campaign to raise P44 million as “blood money” to spare overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joselito Zapanta from execution in Saudi Arabia.

In a letter to Philippine STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte, Binay said the government needs the media’s assistance in information dissemination to enable it to raise the blood money.

Zapanta, 33, went to Saudi Arabia in 2007 to work as a tile setter to support his parents and two children.

But two years later, he had an altercation with his Sudanese landlord, who he later killed.

The crime which Zapanta
committed is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

The government has four months to save Zapanta’s life, according to the Vice President.

He said the OFW’s execution was temporarily deferred by Saudi Arabian authorities after the family of the Sudanese victim agreed to settle the matter through the payment of blood money.

Binay said the government has deposited P4 million in Saudi Arabia, the standard amount allotted for blood money cases that qualify for government assistance.

He said a kindhearted private individual has also donated P1 million.

“The provincial government of Pampanga has also embarked on a fundraising campaign for their cabalen (provincemate),” Binay said.

He added that 400 OFW families have also donated P7,900 to the Save Zapanta fund drive during the Christmas party organized by the Blas F. Ople Center.

“While our fundraising efforts for Joselito Zapanta continue, we do realize that without the help of media, we can only reach to a small circle of friends and associates,” Binay said in his letter.

“I hope that you can help us by letting more people know about Joselito’s plight as part of your company’s public service efforts,” Binay said.

He said officers of the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs who have met Zapanta can attest that he is now a changed man.