Pinoy who killed fellow OFW in Saudi escapes death penalty

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who killed a fellow OFW in Saudi Arabia in 2008 was spared from the death penalty after the victim's relatives forgave him.   Vice President and presidential adviser on OFW concerns Jejomar Binay interceded with the kin of victim Robertson Mendoza to forgive Jonard Langamin.   Binay met with Mendoza’s father Bert, and Langamin's mother Editha at the Coconut Palace Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) website.   Those present at the mediation meeting were Overseas Workers Welfare Administration  head Carmelita Dimzon and Susan Ople, President of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, who helped Langamin's family in the mediation.   "During the meeting which he presided, the Vice President guaranteed Langamin that her son would be given full legal support by the Philippine government," the OVP release said.   He also guaranteed Mendoza his family would get all benefits and assistance his slain son was entitled to.   “Maraming salamat po sa inyo Vice President at natulungan niyo po kaming mailigtas ang buhay ng anak ko,” the OVP quoted a "tearful" Mrs. Langamin as telling Binay.   The OVP cited records from the DFA showing Langamin stabbed Mendoza to death in 2008 because Mendoza was preventing him from singing.   The case is pending before the Damman Higher Court.   Under Saudi law, the private aspect of the case is more important than the public aspect - the private aspect involves the victim's next of kin granting forgiveness to the family of the accused.   In contrast, the public aspect deals with the state punishing the accused for the crime committed.   Should the next of kin grant forgiveness, the state will no longer pursue the public aspect.   Binay instructed former Ambassador Enrico Endaya, Executive Director of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), to expedite the transmittal of the necessary documents to the courts in Saudi Arabia to ensure Langamin’s release. - VVP, GMA News