UAE court acquits OFW Jennifer Dalquez

(Updated, 12:09 p.m.) Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jennifer Dalquez has been acquitted of murder charges, her mother confirmed on Tuesday.

The OFW’s mother, Alicia Dalquez, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has informed her of her daughter’s acquittal.

“DFA Manila ang nagreport sa akin. Inosente si Jennifer (DFA Manila reported it to me. Jennifer is innocent),” she told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

She said a court at the United Arab Emirates acquitted Dalquez on June 19, of the charges of murder, thus, saving her from the death row.

READ: Gov’turged to save Pinay on death row in UAE

“Kahapon yung last hearing. Five years na lang siya mag-serve sa kulungan (Yesterday was the last hearing. She will now just serve five years in jail),” she said.

Dalquez was sentenced to death in 2015 after she accidentally killed an Emirati police who attempted to rape her in 2014.

Dalquez said she was able to talk to her daughter on Monday at around 6:30 p.m.

“Masayang-masaya ako at nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. Wala akong mapagsidlan ng kasiyahan (I am really glad, just like a big thorn has been removed from my chest. I am overwhelmed by gladness),” she said.

Her daughter, she said, was happy with the decision.

In a statement, Migrante International welcomed the acquittal of Dalquez.

“We have talked to Jennifer’s parents and they confirmed that they were contacted by the Department of Foreign Affairs who relayed to them the good news,” Arman Hernando, Migrante International Spokesperson, said on Tuesday.

“Because of her acquittal, no blood money is required of Jennifer. She, however, is still expected to serve a five-year jail time,” Hernando added.

Migrante thanked the DFA “for having graciously imparted directly to us the positive update.”

“Once again, our collective prayers, active intervention and resounding clamor for justice have prevailed,” Hernando said.

“On behalf of the Dalquez family, we thank all supporters, migrants advocates and human rights defenders in the “Save Jennifer Dalquez” campaign. We stand resolute to continue with the fight to save all Filipinos on death row,” he added.

Meanwhile, the DFA confirmed that the 30-year-old Dalquez was acquitted by the Court of Appeals in Al Ain at a June 19 hearing.

“Ms. Dalquez, 30, was charged with murder for allegedly killing Mr. Alaryani. Through her counsel, she argued that she was defending herself from his attempt to rape her when the incident occurred on 7 December 2014,” the DFA said.

The DFA also confirmed that she will not pay blood money but will have to spend five years in jail for stealing a mobile phone. With a report from Kristine Angeli Sabillo/JPV/rga