Manila seeks help to raise $1m for Filipino death-row in Saudi

The Philippine government appealed yesterday for the public to help raise almost $ 1 million needed to save a Filipino from execution in the Kingdom. Laborer Joselito Zapanta was due to be executed in June this year for murdering his Sudanese landlord in 2009, but authorities extended the deadline until Nov. 3 to allow more time for the “blood money” to be raised, the government said. Under the Kingdom's justice system, Zapanta can have his death sentence waived if he pays four million riyals ($ 1.06 million) to the victim’s family, AFP reported. But so far the Zapanta family and the government have raised only $ 136,000, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters. “On behalf of the Zapanta family, we continue to appeal to all kind-hearted individuals for assistance in raising the remaining amount needed for the blood money,” Lacierda told reporters. He said the victim’s family and the Saudi government agreed to extend the time needed to raise the funds following requests by President Benigno Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay. His execution date has been pushed back three times so that the blood money can be raised. Source: ArabNews