No execution date yet set for jailed OFW in Saudi, says DFA

Joselito Zapanta. Facebook photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified Wednesday that negotiations for Joselito Zapanta, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, are still ongoing despite reports his execution order has been signed.

“There was an order that was signed regarding the implementation of the [death] sentence for Zapanta, but that was signed about last year,” Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said in a press conference.

“There are no dates set for his execution … the implementation has been held in abeyance pending the ongoing negotiations,” he said.

Zapanta has been sentenced to death after he killed his Sudanese landlord after a heated argument over rent back in 2009.

The family of the Sudanese, identified as Imam Ibrahim, initially demanded 5 million Saudi Riyal for blood money but it was later reduced to 4 million.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on OFW concerns, has repeatedly appealed to the public for more contributions to raise the blood money since there was still a substantial amount required.

“There’s still a chance, [negotiations] are still open … let’s not alarm the public anymore. The paperwork is moving, there’s still a process to be followed,” Binay said in a statement.

The deadline for the blood money has been extended twice already with the last date being on November 3, 2013.

“We have been going through this process for a long time now, this order has been signed even before the deadline of November last year,” Hernandez said.

“As long as the sentence has not been implemented yet we are doing everything possible to save the life of Zapanta,” he said.

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