Jennifer Dalquez: ‘Di ko naramdaman na bibitayin ako, may kalayaan pa sa buhay ko’

It never came into my mind that I would be executed in the United Arab Emirates, Jennifer Dalquez, the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who has been acquitted of murder raps, said on Friday.

At a press briefing, Dalquez recalled that she has always been hopeful that she would be freed from prison and be able to return to the Philippines to be with her family.

"'Di ba sabi ko po 'di ko po naramdaman na bibitayin ako. Ang naramdaman ko may kalayaan pa po ako na darating sa buhay ko. Wala po akong feeling na hopeless ako sa sarili ko. Umaasa ako sa Panginoon na makalabas ako," Dalquez said.

A native from General Santos City, Dalquez said her faith in God made her stronger despite being imprisoned after she was found guilty of killing her employer.

Dalquez also emphasized that it was not her intention to kill her former boss.

"May pag-asa pa akong makalabas... alam ko na 'di ko sadya 'yun. Alam ko na ang Panginoon tutulungan Niya ako na makalabas. Hindi ko po ine-expect na ganon ang mangyayari sa akin," she said.

Dalquez finally arrived home on Friday morning. She was welcomed by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Meanwhile, Alicia Dalquez, mother of Jennifer, appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for help in order for her daughter to start a new life, adding that she does not want Jennifer to leave the country again.

"Para sa akin po, ayoko na po pumunta si Jennifer sa ibang bansa kaya kung merong maitulong ang Pangulong Duterte para po sa aming anak sana po ay tulungan niyo, bigyan niyo siya ng panghanap-buhay... 'Yun po ang hinihiling ko sana, lalo sa kaniyang tatay, walang hanap-buhay," the older Dalquez said.

Dalquez was released from prison on Thursday afternoon.

On December 12, 2014, Dalquez was nabbed after stabbing to death her employer whom she had claimed was trying to rape her at knife-point. — RSJ, GMA News