MANILA, Philippines — The government on Thursday, April 18 appealed to Filipinos to help raise the 4-M Saudi Arabian Riyals (about $1-M or P41-M) needed for the release of convicted overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta as Saudi Arabia extended anew the deadline for the payment of his “blood money.”
Zapanta was due to be executed in June for the 2009 murder of his Sudanese landlord. Under the Saudi judicial system, he can escape the death sentence if he pays the required amount. To give the government and his family more time to raise funds, the deadline for his “blood money” has been extended until November 3, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Thursday.
Of the P41-M needed, only P5.6-M has been raised so far, according to Lacierda.
“On behalf of the Zapanta family, we continue to appeal to all kind-hearted individuals for assistance in raising the remaining amount needed for the blood money,” Lacierda told reporters.
He said the victim’s family and the Saudi government agreed to extend the time needed to raise the funds following requests by President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“We thank His Majesty King Abdullah and the Saudi government for interceding on Mr. Zapanta’s behalf,” Lacierda said.
A source from the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier told Rappler the government is not inclined to shoulder the entire SAR 4-M. A government policy puts a certain cap on spending for blood money.
Since his conviction, Zapanta’s execution date has been pushed back 3 times. – with reports from Agence France-Presse
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