9 OFWs released under Saudi pardon

07 January 2010 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported Thursday to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that an initial batch of nine Filipinos have been pardoned and released from jail under the royal decree issued on the occasion of the return of the Saudi Crown Prince.

To mark the return of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz from medical treatment overseas, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah issued royal pardons last December 11, 2009.

Their names are being withheld until their next of kin have been informed, the DFA said.

These nine Filipinos are undergoing the necessary government procedures before they are allowed to leave the country. The Embassy is working on arranging the tickets for their journey back home, including with their original employers, if any.

Earlier, DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo expressed deep appreciation for the benevolence and kindness of His Majesty King Abdullah and wished him and Crown Prince Sultan long life.

Romulo also said the Philippine government regularly requests for the inclusion of Filipinos in any pardon, especially before Ramadan, and when it knows that they have served at least half their sentences and have made restitution under the private rights aspect of their cases.

The Embassy also said it submitted to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs all the names of Filipino prisoners who could possibly qualify for clemency.

There is an estimated 400 to 500 detainees within the Embassy’s jurisdiction. This figure does not include those being monitored by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.

The royal pardon applies to both Saudi nationals and foreigners who are considered not to pose a threat to public order. The pardon covers those who are detained or jailed for petty crimes and violations and who have made restitution to their victims. They include those whose charges are still being heard by the courts.

However, the pardon does not include those arrested for major crimes, or offenses liable for specific punishments under Shari’ah law or from lawsuits on private rights, such as theft and embezzlement, among others.