MANILA: The Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was earlier sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia was granted pardon and freed Sunday. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported that the repatriation of the freed OFW has been arranged and he is due to arrive in Manila, The Philippine Star reported Monday on its website. The OFW was sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 by a tribunal of three judges for involvement in smuggling illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia. In February 2008, he was apprehended by law enforcement agents after receiving a postal package with drugs hidden inside. Smuggling and selling of illegal drugs in the Kingdom is punishable by death. Through the help of the Philippine post in Riyadh, two members of the tribunal reduced the penalty from death to 15 years imprisonment, 1,500 lashes and a fine of SR100,000. The embassy included the OFW's name in the list submitted to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for Royal Clemency. Upon release, he tearfully thanked the embassy for its relentless efforts for his freedom, while expressing gratitude to Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ezzedin H. Tago, the website said. “His release is testament to the hard work and tireless dedication of the Philippine Embassy officials in safeguarding the welfare of every Filipino in Saudi Arabia,” Tago said.
