Filipino held in Saudi death row released

Rogelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for who killed a Saudi national, is expected to be home soon after payment of blood money to the victim’s family.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on OFW concerns, announced this in a press statement yesterday.

He quoted Jerome Friaz, case officer at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, who received a text message from Lanuza regarding his release.

Binay said Lanuza was informed by Sheikh Ahmad Al Othaimen, head of the Saudi Royal Court (SRC) in Dammam, that the victim’s family had issued a ‘tanazul’, or affidavit of forgiveness.

Hence, after giving blood money of 32 million pesos (Dh2.8m), 25 million pesos (Dh2.17), and part of this was shouldered by Saudi King Abdullah.

He admitted, that he did not know when Lanuza would be repatriated from Dammam.

“I do not want to speculate as there is a process to be followed,” Binay stressed. “But what I am sure is that Dondon will no longer be executed.”

Binay again thanked King Abdullah for his generosity in shouldering the balance of the blood money needed for Lanuza’s release, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and all the Filipinos who have helped in this cause.

“I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who has helped save Dondon Lanuza’s life,” he added. “May your passion to save our ‘kababayans’ (countrymen) never waver.”

Launza has spent 13 years on death row after he killed the victim in 2000 allegedly in self-defence.

 

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