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MANILA, Philippines—A convicted overseas Filipino worker was given another lease on life as he was given one more month to raise the blood money needed to spare him from death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Jejomar Binay said that Joselito Zapanta was given another month to complete the four million Saudi riyals (P47.9 million) blood money after killing Imam Ibrahim, his Sudanese landlord, in 2009.
“His chances are getting better; Mr. Zapanta might not be executed,” Binay said. “We were given another one month extension.”
The original payment of the blood money was on Nov. 12, 2012 but was extended to March 12, 2013 and was moved once again to Nov. 3, 2013.
Binay said that on Jan. 21 President Benigno Aquino III already gave a “substantial amount” for Zapanta’s blood money, but the amount was not enough for the blood money.
“First of all, the victim’s wife has not returned to Saudi yet. She’s still in (Sudan),” Binay said. “Second we are still in talks with (Saudi) officials to help us save Mr. Zapanta’s life.”
No date has been set for Zapanta’s execution.
Donations for Zapanta may be made to the Riyadh Philippine Embassy’s sub-account in the Saudi Hollandi Bank: Account Number 037-040-790-022, International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022, Swift Code: AAALSARI
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