Filipino Expats Qatar

Press Release
April 2, 2008

Despite pronouncement from Malacanang, Migrante vows to intensify campaign to save OFW Vecina from execution

Upon knowing yesterday the affirmation of the verdict by the Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on OFW May Vecina’s death sentenced by hanging issued sometime in July last year of a lower court, an alliance of Overseas Filipino Workers’ organizations based in the Middle East vows to intensify its campaign to save OFW Vecina’s life from hanging.

“The affirmation of OFW May Vecina’s death sentenced by the Kuwait’s Court of Cassation yesterday is a warning-sign to fellow OFWs to prepare for the same “battle” we have during Flor Contemplacion’ s time, forging our united stand to intensifying our campaign to press the Arroyo govt. to act without more ado in saving the life of our fellow OFW May Vecina,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said that despite pronouncement from Malacanang and DFA that they will “exhaust all legal remedies and take diplomatic initiatives” to spare OFW Vecina from death, Migrante and OFWs in the entire world will be closely monitoring and following any remedial and diplomatic actions to be undertaken by the Arroyo administration.

“We will closely keep an eye on OFW Vecina’s case and will tightly observe the actions to be undertaken by the Arroyo administration especially that Mrs. Arroyo herself had promised last year to intervene on OFW Vecina’s case and other 25 OFWs in death row. We sill see if Mrs. Arroyo now will be true to her words as she is perceived to break her own promises.” Monterona added.

Monterona stressed that fellow OFWs and families have enough reasons to be vigilant and alarmed on the Arroyo administration’ s handling on the cases of OFWs in death row as they have already witnessed, not only once but several times, the hanging of fellow OFWs such as of Flor Contemplacion in Singapore and Reynaldo Cortez in Saudi Arabia, among the many whose death have not been publicized especially in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other countries in the Middle East.

Monterona further said that Migrante, OFWs and families would not want to see of Flor Contemplacion and Reynaldo Cortez in the coming months; thus, OFWs’ vigilance and concerted actions to compel the Arroyo administration to do its job conscientiously and earnestly is deemed necessary to save the life of OFW Vecina and other 25 OFWs who are in death row.

“Migrante, OFWs and families will kick off a petition signing “Save OFW Vecina” campaign immediately and this will be sent to Mrs. Arroyo in Malacanang, as her administration has barely (2) months, until the Emir of Kuwait act and sign on the Courts’ decision, to exert its actions saving the life of OFW Vecina, Monterona ended. # # #

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
regional coordinator
Migrante Middle East
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012