DFA calls for more help to raise blood money for Zapanta

Joselito Zapanta. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday called for more help to raise the blood money needed for Joselito Zapanta, an overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia, as President Benigno Aquino III has sent a letter asking for an extension of the deadline.

“The president sent a letter to his majesty the King of Saudi Arabia appealing for more time to raise the balance of the blood money,” DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters Tuesday.

“We urge our kababayans to extend a helping hand and pray that this life will be spared,” he said.

A total of 504,000 Saudi Riyal has been raised by the government and private sector so far. A total of four million Saudi Riyal was being demanded by the family of the victim so that Zapanta would be spared from the death penalty, Hernandez said.

Zapanta was convicted of killing his Sudanese landlord back in 2009. Zapanta’s execution, was originally scheduled for Nov. 14 last year but the family agreed to extend the deadline for the payment of the blood money.

Hernandez assured that “all efforts are being exerted to save Zapanta’s life.”