OFW in Saudi death row to be freed soon

AFFIDAVIT OF FORGIVENESS Bert Almazan Mendoza (second from the left), father of Robertson Mendoza who was stabbed to death by another Filipino in Saudi Arabia, signs the “tanazul,” or affidavit of forgiveness in the presence of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay (right) at the Coconut Palace. With the tanazul, Mendoza's assailant, Jonard Langamin, will no longer be executed and is expected to be released from prison within three months. Binay had earlier arranged for the reconciliation of the families of the victim and the accused.

MANILA, Philippines—The overseas Filipino worker  (OFW) who is facing the death penalty for killing a fellow Filipino in Saudi Arabia is expected to be released within three months after the victim’s family signed the “tanazul,” or affidavit of forgiveness in the presence of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay at the Coconut Palace Monday.

The affidavit of forgiveness is a gesture of peace and goodwill under Shari’a law that waives all private or civil rights against the accused.

According to the tanazul signed by the family of the victim Robertson Mendoza, they no longer demand punishment of “qisas” (death by beheading) against Jonard Langamin nor would they object to his subsequent release from prison and deportation.

“We were told by the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] that Langamin could be released within three months,” Binay said. “He has been given a new life, and we are thankful to the Lord for touching the heart of the victim’s father.”

Reports from the DFA said that Langamin stabbed Mendoza to death in 2008 because the victim was preventing the former from singing.

Meanwhile, former ambassador Enrico Endaya, executive director of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), said that the “tanazul” would be immediately sent to the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

The embassy will then present it to the Damman Higher Court and Langamin may be freed within three months.

The Vice President had earlier facilitated the reconciliation of both families in a meeting with Mendoza’s father, Bert; and Langamin’s mother, Editha at the Coconut Palace last week.