DMW working on possible clemency of 2 Filipinos on death row in Brunei

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in a statement on Saturday that they are working on the possible clemency of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on death row in Brunei.

One of the OFWs is Edgar Puzon, who was convicted for the murder of a fellow Filipino worker abroad in 2005, but he was commuted to life imprisonment. He is hoping to be granted early release before he turns 70 in January next year, the DMW said. 

The other OFW is Cyrile Tagapan who has been serving his sentence since 2016 for the murder of a Bruneian citizen, and for arson and theft.

Earlier this week, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac was able to visit the two OFWs in their prison facility. Cacdac was part of the President’s delegation during the Chief Executive’s two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam from May 28 to 29, 2024. 

“I conveyed the message of the President to our two kababayans of his support and continuing prayers for them,” said Cacdac in a statement.

“Both expressed their deepest thanks to the President,” he added.  

The DMW said that they are already coordinating with a local law firm which already filed the pleas for clemency for the two Filipinos with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Privy Council of the Prime Minister’s Office. 

DMW added that they are also working on additional "compassionate visits" for the two Filipinos. 

"The DMW and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), funded and will continue to shoulder all expenses for the compassionate visits of the two OFWs’ families and relatives," said the DMW. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VAL, GMA Integrated News