Palace assures help for 48 Filipinos on death row in Malaysia 

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang assured Filipinos on death row in Malaysia that the government is responding to their cases.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing that the government would not abandon them.

“Oh definitely we will not [abandon them]. We will always respond to the call of distress from any OFW (overseas Filipino worker),” he noted.

His comment was sought after Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said 48 Filipinos are facing death penalty in Malaysia, where executions are done through hanging.

Panelo said Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III is already attending to the cases of the Filipinos on death row in Malaysia.

“I think the Secretary of Labor is doing something about that. We’re waiting in fact for his report,” he said.

In 2018, Malaysia has moved to abolish the death penalty – a decision that could save thousands of people on death row.

READ: Malaysia to abolish death penalty

/kga