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Filipino woman saved from death row in UAE

Philippine bishop welcomes aquittal of Jennifer Dalquez after she appealed against murder conviction
Filipino woman saved from death row in UAE

The parents of Jennifer Dalquez, a Filipino woman on death row in the United Arab Emirates, show a poster calling for her acquittal outside their home in General Santos City. (Photo by Bong Sarmiento)

Published: June 21, 2017 10:20 AM GMT
Updated: June 21, 2017 10:21 AM GMT

A Catholic bishop in the Philippines has welcomed the acquittal of a Filipino migrant worker who was on death row in the United Arab Emirates for more than two years.

The head of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People of the Catholic bishops described the decision of an appellate court in the Arab country as "a triumph of truth and justice."

The Court of Appeals in Al Ain acquitted Jennifer Dalquez of murder on June 19, the Philippine Foreign Affairs office said on June 20.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, who has been vocal in lobbying for Dalquez's freedom, welcomed the news.

"A life is saved," said the prelate, adding that the case should serve as a lesson to Philippine authorities "that life should always be preserved [and] respected."

"They should reject the death penalty bill," said Bishop Santos. "Let us continue to protect and promote life," he added referring to a bill in Congress looking to revive the death penalty for drug-related crimes.

He called on the Philippine government to continue helping Filipinos in prisons abroad and ensure that their rights "are defended and mercy is served."

 

Answered prayers

Dalquez's family in the southern Philippines said their prayers were answered. "It's as if a thorn was taken from my heart," Dalquez's mother, Rajima, told ucanews.com.

Rajima said she was able to talk with her daughter after the court handed down the decision. "I told her to continue praying," said the 53-year old.

"We are looking forward to … seeing her back home," she said.

In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Dalquez was "declared innocent without diyyah or payment of blood money."

"Nonetheless, she was sentenced to five years imprisonment, less the number of days she spent in jail, for stealing a mobile phone," added the statement.

Dalquez, a 30-year-old household worker from General Santos City, was charged with murder for allegedly killing her employer in 2014.

The woman, however, said she accidentally killed her employer in self-defense after he attempted to rape her at knifepoint.

She was jailed and sentenced to death in 2015.

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