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MANILA, Philippines--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did three Filipinos sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia a "disservice" when she appealed for clemency in their behalf from the crown prince of the Middle East kingdom, said a militant overseas workers' group on Sunday.
Migrante International said it was "gravely concerned" by the President's appeal because she failed to raise the issue of the torture Rolando Gonzalez, his brother Edison, and Eduardo Arcilla claimed they were subjected to to make them admit to murders that they said they did not commit.
"Asking for clemency is tantamount to admitting they are guilty of the crime. But the Gonzales brothers and Arcilla vehemently insist on their innocence," said newly elected Migrante chair Garry Martinez in a statement.
The three were convicted of killing fellow Filipinos Romeo Lumbang, Jeremias Bucud and Dante Rivero.
Martinez said Edison repeatedly told Migrante officials in phone calls that they were being tortured by Saudi authorities to make them admit to the crime.
"For seven consecutive days, they were hogtied, blindfolded and beaten during interrogation. They insist they did not kill their fellow Filipinos," Martinez said.
He said the President's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud on the sidelines of the United Nations assembly on an interfaith dialogue in New York last Wednesday would have been an "opportune time" to officially express the Philippines' concern over reports of torture being inflicted on OFWs charged with crimes.
"Ms Arroyo has shown her ignorance of the case and her insensitivity to the victims' demands. She should have at least appealed for a review of the cases given the reports of torture," he said.
Martinez said this was not the first time Migrante received reports of torture from OFWs. He recalled the case of Joselito Alejo who was sentenced to die by beheading in 2001. He was found innocent after his case was reinvestigated following a public outcry in the Philippines.
Migrante also criticized the government's "piecemeal approach" to the problem of OFWs on death row, pointing out the government should formally take up the cases of 11 OFWs with officials of the kingdom.
"President Arroyo should act holistically and immediately. The clock is ticking. We don't want another OFW executed due to blunder and criminal neglect," Martinez said.
According to Migrante, six OFWs had been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2001. They were Antonio Alvesa, Sergio Aldana, Miguel Fernandez, Wilfredo Bautista, Reynaldo Cortez and Jenifer Beduya.
The Gonzalez brothers and Arcilla were sentenced to die by beheading for the killings in April 2006. Saudi Arabia's Court of Appeals affirmed the sentence on Sept. 15.
