An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was saved from death row in the Middle East has been released from prison and is set to come home to the Philippines, Migrante International said on Wednesday.
In June 2017, Jennifer Dalquez was acquitted of murder by the Court of Appeals in Al Ain for killing her employer who attempted to rape her in December 2014. She accidentally stabbed him dead while defending herself.
Despite the acquittal, the 31-year-old domestic helper was convicted of robbery for allegedly stealing a cell phone and was sentenced to five years in prison.
READ: UAE court acquits OFW Jennifer Dalquez
“Migrante International expresses cheers of joy and relief for the release from imprisonment in UAE of Jennifer Dalquez and for her immediate return to the Philippines,” Migrante International said in a statement.
“We rejoice with her loved ones as we anticipate their soon reunion to celebrate her freedom and new beginning,” they added.
READ: Mother of OFW saved from death row in UAE appeals for help
The advocacy group, meanwhile, lauded other sectors that united for the life and freedom of Dalquez.
“Migrante and Jennifer’s myriads of supporters celebrate this great victory which we achieved through our united voices and concerted actions,” the group said.
“Now that our fervent hope for her soon return is finally at the door, we commend everyone, church people and other sectors that marched with us and merged their voices in unison for the life and freedom of Jennifer Dalquez,” they added.
With this, Migrante also called on Filipinos both at home and abroad “to continue waging this great struggle to save the lives of many Filipinos who are continually ruined by the government’s pernicious labour export program.”
“As we laud our triumph, let us never lose sight of our fellow Filipinos who are still on death row and those thousands of other OFWs languishing in prison,” the group said.
“The battle is not yet over. Mary Jane Veloso’s life is still in limbo while millions upon millions of Filipinos likewise suffer government neglect, repression and persecution,” they added, referring to another OFW who is currently on death row in Indonesia after being convicted for drug trafficking.
The Indonesian government postponed Veloso’s death sentence and she is now currently detained at the Wirogunan Penitentiary in Yogyakarta.
“Together we must thrust forward as we wrestle against an unjust system that has brought misery and despair to our national democratic aspirations,” Migrante said.
“Let us continue to bear the torch for the struggle of OFWs and their families until we as a nation finally uproot the causes of forced migration that continue to drive Filipinos into the farthest corners of the world,” the group added. /jpv