By Josine Estuye
MANILA, (PNA) -– Contrary to Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza’s, who just ended his 13-year ordeal in Saudi Arabia in September, Joselito Zapanat has still a long way before he sees freedom.
During an interview at the inauguration of the Bistekville 2 at Novaliches, Quezon City Friday, Vice President Jejomar Binay disclosed that Zapanta may face execution next month unless his family raises the blood money amounting to SAR 4 Million or P45 million.
Binay, the Presidential on OFW Concerns said, the deadline to settle the demands of the victim’s heirs is on November 03, 2013.
As of now, the total amount of blood money collected for Zapanta is SAR 520,831.05, which is almost SAR 3.5 million or almost P40 million short.
In line with this, Binay appealed for prayers, as well as donations to raise the blood money needed to save the OFW.
“Mga kababayan, sana matulungan ho ninyo kami na makapag-ipon ng halaga. Pero talaga hong sobra lang talaga ang laki ng halagang pinag-uusapan dito,” Binay said.
“Ipanalangin po sana natin si Mr. Zapanta. Sa isang buwan na po ang kanyang execution kung hindi tayo mapapagbigyan ng palugit muli o kaya naman kung hindi tayo makakapag-release ng napakalaking halaga,” he added.
Binay also noted that the government of Saudi has given enough time to raise the blood money, as they extended the deadline thrice.
“Tatlong beses na tayong binigyan ng palugit para makapag-raise at binaba iyong halaga. Kaya lang may pasabi ngayon na sa darating na buwan hindi na papayag na ibaba ang halaga. Pero hindi naman nababanggit kung magbibigay pa ng palugit,” Binay said.
Zapanta worked in Saudi Arabi as a tile setter in 2007 to support his parents and two children.
He was sentenced to death for killing his landlord’s accountant, a Sudanese national, as well as stealing SAR 3,000.00 and two mobile phones.
His death sentence was scheduled last March, but Saudi King gave another 6-month extention or until November to raise funds to be given to the victim’s heirs.