Arroyo seeks commutation for 2 Pinoys in Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has asked the help of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to spare the lives of two more Filipino workers who are in Kuwait’s death row. A Malacañang statement said Arroyo "expressed concern" over the fate of Bienvenido Espino and Kakapi Pawa, who Kuwaiti courts sentenced to death last April and May. Sheik Nasser arrived in the Philippines on Thursday on the ninth leg of his Asian tour aimed at boosting economic, diplomatic and trade relations between Kuwait and Asian countries. He left Saturday morning back to Kuwait. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. said Espino was found guilty of killing a fellow Filipino, while Pawa allegedly killed the 22-year-old daughter of her employer. The Kuwaiti trial court rulings on the Filipinos are now on appeal. Conejos said Sheik Nasser responded "positively" to Arroyo's appeal, but said the judicial proceedings have to be completed first. If the death sentence is sustained, then the ruler can come in just like what he did in the Marilou Ranario and May Vecina cases, he said. At the same time, Arroyo reiterated her gratitude to Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s ruler, for commuting the death sentences of Vecina and Ranario, Conejos said. - GMANews.TV