25-6-2023 (MANILA) The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted pardons to three Filipinos, two of whom were on death row for drug trafficking, according to a statement from Malacañang. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had requested the pardons and expressed his gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for granting his appeal. The third Filipino had been sentenced to 15 years for slander.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. informed Marcos of the pardons after receiving a message from UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi. In a phone call with Sheikh Mohamed, Marcos thanked him for the pardons and for the UAE’s assistance to families affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay. The UAE has sent 50 tons of food supplies and medicines to help with the crisis.
During the conversation, Sheikh Mohamed also expressed his appreciation for the contribution of some 600,000 Filipinos working in the UAE and invited Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December. Marcos invited Sheikh Mohamed to visit the Philippines.
The news of the pardons was welcomed by the OFW party-list group in Congress, with Rep. Marissa Magsino thanking Marcos for his efforts to protect the welfare of Filipinos on death row abroad. Magsino stressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the government’s support for Filipinos working overseas, particularly those facing legal battles and incarceration.
The UAE’s decision to grant pardons to the three Filipinos highlights the importance of legal assistance and support for overseas Filipino workers who face the risk of being charged with crimes abroad. The government must continue to provide effective assistance programs to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos working overseas.
