After nearly 6 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, overseas Filipino worker Rose Policarpio returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, September 22, thanks to the legal assistance by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 

The DFA said Policarpio, now 31, arrived in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to work as a food server in 2013. But a few days after her arrival, she was sent to jail, accused of killing her employer. 

Policarpio repeatedly asserted her innocence and denied any involvement in the crime. 

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Arriola welcomed Policarpio home, saying with Policarpio’s  “new lease on life, we wish her success in her future endeavors.”

While awaiting release in Saudi Arabia, Policarpio fought legal battles with the assistance of the DFA. The DFA said  the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, made “strong representations and closely worked on the case of Policarpio.”

“The DFA’s timely legal assistance ensured that her rights were protected under Saudi laws. The Philippine embassy also regularly visited her in jail and provided her with welfare assistance,” the department said. 

Policarpio was eventually found not guilty by a lower court, and the decision was sustained by the court of appeals in Saudi Arabia. After this, Policarpio was eventually released from detention and repatriated to the Philippines. 

Policarpio is expected to reunite with her family as soon as she completes COVID-19 health protocols, the DFA said. – Rappler.com