Doomed Filipino in Saudi Arabia gets reprieve

MANILA, Philippines—A Filipino construction worker in death row in Saudi Arabia for murder has been given a few more months to pay the 4 million riyals (about P44 million) blood money to the family of his landlord whom he killed in 2009, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Joselito Zapanta was given until Nov. 3 this year to pay the blood money to the family of his victim, quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“This extension [of the deadline from March 12 to Nov. 3] allows the Zapanta family more time to raise the funds required by the victim’s heirs,” Lacierda said.

Malacañang thanked Saudi King Abdullah and the Saudi government for interceding on Zapanta’s behalf following requests from President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

In March, Abdullah ordered the deferment of the execution of prisoners with death sentences in the Arab country, including Zapanta. TJ A. Burgonio