OFW Joselito Zapanta's blood money payment deadline, March 12, 2013
OFW Joselito Zapanta's blood money payment deadline, March 12, 2013
Joselito Zapanta's Php44-million blood money payment should be processed no later than Tuesday, March 12, 2013 else he will be scheduled for execution.
As of press time, the Philippine government failed to raise funds for Joselito Zapanta in recent months. All efforts of the Philippine embassy officials in Jeddah are now focused to push back the deadline.
“In the past months, our embassy continues to look for ways to extend the deadline for paying the blood money and possibly to lower the amount,” Binay said.
Initially, Joselito Zapanta was given a month to produce Php55 million worth of blood money on November 14, 2012 but with the efforts of the Philippine government, Vice President Jejomar Binay announced that he received a four-month extension notice after the victim’s family also agreed to reduce Zapanta's blood money to P44 million.
The family of Zapanta has so far raised P4.39 million in November 2012.
Mixed Reactions of Filipinos
Raul Hernandez, a spokesman for the Philippine government earlier said:
"I appeal to all our countrymen, especially the private sector, let us help in whatever way we can. Miracles can happen. Maybe we will find a way or maybe they will lower the amount (demanded)."
Connie Bragas-Regalado, chairperson and first nominee of Migrante Partylist, however made a response to the call of Hernandez.
She said that the issue of ‘blood money’ allows the government to divert responsibility and accountability of an OFW’s fate to his or her family or the public.
“What is primarily government responsibility becomes a ‘public’ responsibility. Ipinapasa sa pamilya, private sector o ‘di kaya sa mamamayan ang pagbubuo ng blood money. This is not fair and outright deceitful and self-preserving on the part of the Philippine government. In the first place, the government should have not waited to assist our distressed countrymen until they are about to be beheaded.”
Some netizens ridiculed the efforts of the government. They consider it as futile and a waste of time & money. They also suggested not to donate any amount considering the impoverished state of the Philippines.
Other Filipinos suggested that the Philippine "Big Time" politicians should shoulder the blood money for Joselito Zapanta.
The OFW, Joselito Zapanta, from Mexico, Pampanga, was sentenced to death by the Saudi Court of First Instance on April 13, 2009. He allegedly killed his Sudanese landlord. He was also accused of theft.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk, PhilStar, Migrante International, PDI news