Aquino told to lobby for Ramadan amnesty

A GROUP advocating the rights of Filipinos abroad called on President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to start seeking amnesty for jailed Filipinos in the Middle East.

In a statement, the Migrante-Middle East said now is the best time for Aquino to move for the freedom of Filipinos incarcerated in Arab countries with the upcoming Eid’l Fitr celebration on September 10.

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“We hope that Philippine posts are now working for amnesty for jailed Filipinos. It is usually granted by the respective government of host countries before or after the Ramadan,” said Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and has been declared as a non-working holiday by Malacañang.

Monterona said the intervention of the Philippine government is already necessary given the sorry state of Middle East jails.

Their statement was made after news about the death of five Ethiopian migrant workers caused by asphyxiation due to overcrowding in jails broke out.

“The concerned RP posts in the Middle East must closely monitor the jailed Filipinos’ conditions inside the host country’s various jails to avoid the same gloomy untoward incidents,” said the Migrante official.

Aside from overcrowding, Monterona noted that jailed Filipinos are also complaining of high temperature reaching 44 degree Celsius. (AMN/Sunnex)