Kin renew appeal for doomed Filipino in Saudi

The family of overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta has renewed its appeal for help in raising blood money to save him from death row in Saudi Arabia.

The Zapanta family needs 25 million pesos in two weeks following the issuance of a Saudi royal decree for the implementation of the sentence, Susan Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, said on Thursday.

The center is a nongovernment organization helping distressed overseas Filipino workers.

The family has raised P23 million with the help of the Philippine government but issued the urgent new appeal as the execution of Zapanta in Saudi Arabia nears.

Zapanta, who used to work as a tile-setter in Saudi Arabia, was arrested and sentenced to death in 2009 for the murder of his Sudanese landlord after an altercation over rent.

In November 2012, the Sudanese family sought blood money amounting to the equivalent of P50 million, later reduced to P48 million.

“Unfortunately, the Sudanese family has refused any amount lower than their demand of P48 million. This means that the Zapanta family needs to raise P25 million,” Ople said in a statement.

According to Ople, Joselito’s mother, Ramona Zapanta, and his sister, Rosemary, sought the help of the center so the family could appeal through the media.

“Joselito called me up yesterday (Wednesday) to seek help and gave permission for the family to make the necessary media rounds with the hope that good Samaritans would help them,” Ople said. “The amount is so huge and the family is cash-strapped and extremely poor.”

Ople, who is running for the Senate in next year’s elections, said she confirmed the urgency of Joselito’s request from the Philippine Embassy while visiting Saudi Arabia to discuss cases involving distressed OFWs.

“Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Ezzedin Tago confirmed that Joselito’s case has become extremely urgent,” Ople said.

The Office of the Undersecretary on Migrant Workers’ Affairs recently brought Joselito’s mother and sister to Saudi Arabia to visit him.

Ople said those wishing to donate any amount to save Joselito’s life can deposit or remit the money to the Philippine Embassy’s Saudi Hollandi Bank under account no. 037-040-790-022.