Ordeal of Pinoy on death row in Saudi for 12 years may finally end

The 12-year ordeal of Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza, the Filipino who is on death row in Saudi Arabia for killing a Saudi national, may finally come to an end.   In a statement posted on the blog site of the migrant workers group "Migrante Middle East," Lanuza said the family of the Saudi national he killed finally accepted the offer of blood money.   "At last, my ordeal comes to an end. The success I return to all. Mabuhay po tayong lahat," Lanuza said.   "For the aggrieved family, my utmost gratitude for sparing my life, hearing the plea of my loved ones and giving me the chance to be with them again. This I shall forever cherish," he added.   He also said he was now "a changed man with a better outlook in life." GMA News Online sought to verify the report from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) but has yet to receive a reply. Lanuza, 37, went to Saudi Arabia in 1996 to work as a draftsman but got into trouble in 2000 for allegedly stabbing an Arab national to death.
 
Lanuza insisted that he killed thet Arab out of self-defense but was convicted in 2002 with a sentence of death by beheading.
An appeal was filed in 2002, and in February last year, the aggrieved Arab family eventually agreed to forgive Lanuza but for "diyya", a tradition of Saudi Arabia to require 'blood money' in compensation to the heirs of a victim.

The diyya was set at US$800,000 (around P35 million).
Grateful   In his statement, Lanuza thanked those who helped secure his freedom, including those who helped convince the victim's family to accept the blood money.   No details were immediately available on how much in blood money was actually paid, but an earlier report on Arab News said former Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor was working to raise SR1.5 million (P17.17 million) for Lanuza's release.   Villamor said that of the SR3.5 million asked by the family for granting forgiveness, SR2 million had been raised through the efforts of US-based Filipino-American businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Lewis.   More Pinoys still on death row   Migrante Middle East said Villamor, who was in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, convinced the victim's family to formally accept the blood money.   "The formal blood money acceptance of the aggrieved family will spare Lanuza (from) Death Row," the group said.   However, Migrante also reminded the Philippine government there are still OFWs on Death Row other than Lanuza.   Migrante said its monitoring showed there are about eight OFWs languishing in various jails in the Middle East, six of them sentenced to death.   Four more are facing possible death sentence upon conviction on various criminal offenses. Forever in debt   Lanuza said he is "forever in the debt of such fine and noble people and the Filipino community for helping me realize my dream to finally be with my family and to become fruitful once again to the society."   He thanked the Saudi Reconciliation Committee that intervened on his behalf to the family and made it possible for them to forgive him.   "I am so blessed that HRH Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Saud, Governor of Eastern Province took time off to closely monitor my case," he said.   Also, he thanked Bobby Reyes and Loida Nicolas Lewis, who pushed his case forward.   Lanuza thanked as well former Ambassador Antonio Villamor who even after his retirement pursued his case.   "You have been the father who looked after me even if I was at times a hard case. My apologies and thanks I return," he added.   He also thanked the Philippine government, the Philippine Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs, including Undersecretary Rafael Seguis for being there during the penultimate negotiations and the patience of Col. Abdulrahman Aqil Al-Aqil to push through with the February 27, 2011 negotiations.   He thanked as well advocate Susan Ople, Ellene Sana, Reggie Jose, Annie Malilay Paderes, Roselle Benito and Charlie Madrigal, as well as Migrante Middle East for bringing his case to the government’s attention.   Lanuza likewise thanked his "brothers and sisters from the Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma Triskelion Grand Fraternity and Sorority."   Social networking   Lanuza partly credited his imminent freedom to the influence by social networks in making his predicament known to countless Filipinos abroad and at home.   "I am so blessed and humbled to those faceless men and women who have contributed financially for my cause including the Filipino Community Groups and our unsung Household Workers who did not blink to shell (out) their hard earned money to help me out," he added.   "And for all who have supported me in one way or another, I may not have thanked you personally please bear in mind that you have uplifted a hapless soul and have given a revitalized life in me," he said. - VVP, GMA News