OFW saved from Saudi death row

MANILA, Philippines - An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) on death row in Saudi Arabia was spared from execution after his victim’s heirs forgave him for his crime, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expedite the release of the P2 million blood money so that Jonard Langamin could go home and spend Christmas with his family.

Langamin is detained at the Dammam Reformatory Jail.

“I am calling on the DFA to work on the blood money for Langamin,” Binay, who is the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said in a statement.

Once the OFW settles the blood money demanded by the victim’s family, Judge Sheikh Ahmad Najmi Al Otaibe of the Dammam High Court will schedule a marathon hearing for closure of the case and will decide on Langamin’s deportation.

Langamin, a seaman, was charged with murder before the Dammam High Court in Saudi Arabia for killing another Filipino, Robertson Mendoza, in 2008.

Mendoza’s family initially asked for P5 million in blood money, which was lowered to P2 million after Binay met with both families at the Coconut Palace.

Langamin should have been released in March 2012 after Mendoza’s father signed a tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness.

Binay assured other detained Filipino workers abroad that the government continues to monitor their cases and is working to secure their freedom.