Affidavit of Forgiveness signed for OFW in Saudi death row

Rodelio Celestino Lanuza

MANILA, Philippines – The Affidavit of Forgiveness for the Filipino overseas worker in Saudi Death Row has been formally signed paving the way for his deportation.

“The Saudi Reconciliation Committee (SRC), conveyed to us that the heir of the Saudi family had finally signed the Tanazul or Affidavit of Forgiveness in favor of Rodelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-MENA coordinator and spokesman for the Lanuza family, said in a statement released recently.

Lanuza will then be released from jail and be deported back to the Philippines after the Affidavit of Forgiveness has been processed, the statement said.

“The Lanuza family and his relatives, supporters, and fellow OFWs, are hoping that Dondon will be released after Ramadan or during Eid al Fitr,” Monterona said.

Lanuza was jailed for killing a Saudi national, Mohammad bin Said Al-Qathani, in self-defense in 2000.

Last March 27, the Philippine government paid 700,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to P7.6 million, to a Saudi court as part of the blood money for Lanuza’s release.

The Saudi government decided to shoulder the 2.3 million Saudi Riyals of the total 3 million Saudi Riyals after negotiations with Vice President Jejomar Binay, the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).