http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=95718&d=3&m=5&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Thursday, 3, May, 2007 (15, Rabi` al-Thani, 1428)
Filipino Maid Saved From Execution, Wins Freedom
Rodolfo C. Estimo Jr., Arab News
RIYADH, 3 May 2007 - A Filipino maid who was sentenced to death for the
1992 slaying of her employer was turned over to Philippine Ambassador to Saudi
Arabia Antonio P. Villamor yesterday after the final installment of a SR2.5
million blood-money settlement was paid.
Sarah Dematera, who has been forgiven by the victim's family for killing
her female employer, thanked those who helped raise the blood money and the
country's courts for "their show of mercy."
"In effect, Sarah Dematera is now free but cannot yet leave the Kingdom
until certain administrative processes have been completed," Villamor told Arab
News yesterday from Alkhobar. "I would like to thank all the individuals and
benefactors, many among whom have expressed their preference to remain
anonymous, who contributed to and helped raise the required amount for the
settlement of Sarah's case," said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Manila.
Arroyo also lauded the Philippine Embassy and labor officials for their
efforts that resulted in the forgiveness of Dematera by the victim's family.
The president also expressed gratitude to the victim's family for
granting forgiveness to Dematera and to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah for his "continued assurance of good treatment for all Filipino
workers in Saudi Arabia."
Villamor thanked Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd and the
police authorities for their cooperation in the case. He also thanked President
Arroyo for her support. Dematera, who was convicted 15 years ago, was scheduled
for execution this year. She couldn't be executed until the victim's daughter
turned 18 and could make a decision on the blood-money settlement.
Dematera, who hails from Iloilo, was accused of killing her employer by
clubbing her with a piece of wood after the latter kept on scolding her for her
unsatisfactory work.
Dematera came to work in Saudi Arabia in November 1992 to work as
domestic helper. After three days she was accused of killing her female
employer. She was eventually convicted and sentenced for beheading.
In December 2005, the victim's husband agreed to issue the "tanazul"
(forgiveness) to Dematera, but the final decision had to be made once the
youngest child of the victim became an adult.
The release of Dematera was ordered on April 29, and came two months
after another Filipino on Saudi death row, Reynaldo San Pedro, was freed in
February.
Both were among the seven Filipinos facing capital punishment in the
Kingdom. Early in November last year Department of Foreign Affairs
Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael E. Seguis flew in from Manila to
work for the early resolution of their cases.
The five other OFWs convicted are Rodelio Lanuza in Khafji, Idan Tijani
and Mariana Sakilan in Jeddah, and Reynaldo Cortez and Nonito Abono in Riyadh.
- With input from Chito Manuel in Jeddah
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