Jailed OFW spared from death row in UAE to finally return home —DFA

After four years, Jennifer Dalquez, the Filipino household worker spared from death row in United Arab Emirates is finally going home more than a year after being acquitted of murder, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Dalquez, sentenced to death in 2015 after she was found guilty of murdering her employer but acquitted in 2017 without diyyah or payment of blood money, will be released from prison Thursday afternoon.

"The Department has been informed by Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Hjayceelyn Quintana that UAE authorities are coordinating with the Philippine Embassy for Jennifer’s flight home this evening," a DFA statement said.

A native of General Santos City, Dalquez was arrested on December 12, 2014, days after stabbing her employer who the Filipina worker claimed was trying to rape her at knifepoint.

She was sentenced to death by the Al Ain Court of First Instance on May 20, 2015, but was given an opportunity under Islamic law to have the decision reversed if the victim's sons will not swear in the name of Allah that she killed their father and instead opt for the payment of blood money.

The sons reportedly failed to attend the hearings as required by the court, prompting Dalquez's lawyer to move for her acquittal. — with Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News