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Pinoy Abroad
From Saudi death row to home: Pardoned OFW Lanuza back in PHL after 13 years
(Updated 8:36 p.m.) After 13 long years, Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was saved from death row in Saudi Arabia, finally arrived in the country on Thursday afternoon, ending his family's long wait and putting a happy ending to a story that even involved the King of Saudi Arabia.
Carrying only a green bag, Lanuza arrived on board Etihad Airways flight EY 424 at 3:03 p.m wearing a long striped shirt and a shawl. He was met by his parents, Edilberto and Letty Lanuza.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos dahil nakauwi ako ng buhay," he said in an interview aired on radio dzBB.
The dzBB report said Lanuza appeared confused at times and quoted him as saying that he may need some time to get used to his newfound freedom.
Homecoming
After leaving the airport, Lanuza went to their home in Sampaloc, Manila, where he received a festive homecoming, a separate report on radio dzBB said.
The report said Lanuza's neighbors prepared placards that read "Welcome Home Dondon Lanuza." Children also lined the street holding small flags with the same message.
Lanuza's arrival in his neighborhood was highlighted by the playing of drums and village officials escorting him to his three-story house.
Jovita Lanuza, the OFW's 89-year-old grandmother, shed tears upon seeing her grandson.
“Maligayang maligaya ako sa pagbabalik ni Dondon. Malaking-malaki ang pasalamat ko sa Panginoon at nakaligtas pa ang apo ko,” she said in the "24 Oras" report.
Food prepared in the house included pancit, bread and lanzones, the dzBB report said.
Lanuza reportedly asked for privacy and a chance to rest, claiming he had been sleepless for the last four days.
The dzBB report quoted a local village official as saying Lanuza stayed inside an air-conditioned room to have his rest. — KBK, GMA News
Carrying only a green bag, Lanuza arrived on board Etihad Airways flight EY 424 at 3:03 p.m wearing a long striped shirt and a shawl. He was met by his parents, Edilberto and Letty Lanuza.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos dahil nakauwi ako ng buhay," he said in an interview aired on radio dzBB.
Pardoned OFW Dondon Lanuza (in black striped shirt) refuses to grant media interviews upon his arrival at the NAIA after spending 13 years in jail in Saudi Arabia. Photo by Xianne Arcangel
Lanuza had been in jail since 2000 after he was sentenced to death for killing an Arab national. Saudi Arabia's highest court affirmed Lanuza’s death penalty in 2001 but pardoned him after the victim's family was paid SR3 million in blood money.
Of the SR3 million, SR700,000 was paid by the Philippine government and supporters of Lanuza. Saudi King Abdullah shouldered the remaining SR2.3 million.
A report on GMA News' "24 Oras" showed Lanuza, 38, tearfully hugging his parents upon meeting them. The report said Lanuza is now a Muslim convert.
Interviewed by reporters inside the airport's VIP room where he and his parents stayed for 30 minutes, Lanuza maintained his innocence in the crime. He had said in previous interviews that he acted in self-defense as the victim was allegedly trying to rape him.
“Malinis po ang konsensya ko. Sumpa man sa Diyos, wala talaga akong kasalanan,” he said in the "24 Oras" report.
Lanuza's papers were processed at the airport by representatives from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of the Vice President.Of the SR3 million, SR700,000 was paid by the Philippine government and supporters of Lanuza. Saudi King Abdullah shouldered the remaining SR2.3 million.
A report on GMA News' "24 Oras" showed Lanuza, 38, tearfully hugging his parents upon meeting them. The report said Lanuza is now a Muslim convert.
Interviewed by reporters inside the airport's VIP room where he and his parents stayed for 30 minutes, Lanuza maintained his innocence in the crime. He had said in previous interviews that he acted in self-defense as the victim was allegedly trying to rape him.
“Malinis po ang konsensya ko. Sumpa man sa Diyos, wala talaga akong kasalanan,” he said in the "24 Oras" report.
The dzBB report said Lanuza appeared confused at times and quoted him as saying that he may need some time to get used to his newfound freedom.
Homecoming
After leaving the airport, Lanuza went to their home in Sampaloc, Manila, where he received a festive homecoming, a separate report on radio dzBB said.
The report said Lanuza's neighbors prepared placards that read "Welcome Home Dondon Lanuza." Children also lined the street holding small flags with the same message.
Lanuza's arrival in his neighborhood was highlighted by the playing of drums and village officials escorting him to his three-story house.
Jovita Lanuza, the OFW's 89-year-old grandmother, shed tears upon seeing her grandson.
“Maligayang maligaya ako sa pagbabalik ni Dondon. Malaking-malaki ang pasalamat ko sa Panginoon at nakaligtas pa ang apo ko,” she said in the "24 Oras" report.
Food prepared in the house included pancit, bread and lanzones, the dzBB report said.
Lanuza reportedly asked for privacy and a chance to rest, claiming he had been sleepless for the last four days.
The dzBB report quoted a local village official as saying Lanuza stayed inside an air-conditioned room to have his rest. — KBK, GMA News
