Zapanta's mom wants to visit son's tomb

BACOLOR -- The family of Joselito Zapanta, the Kapampangan overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was executed recently, appealed to the government if they can be allowed to visit his tomb in Saudi Arabia.

As the chances of bringing Joselito's remains home dimmed, his mother Mona Zapanta said they are willing to fly to Saudi Arabia if it is the only way to see his son's resting place.

"Kung hindi na talaga pwede, kung may tutulong sa amin, kahit madalaw ko man lang yung puntod ng anak ko. Makuha ko yung mga gamit niya dun," Mona said.

Asked if she will bring Joselito's two children, Mona said "Gustuhin ko man, para saan pa? Hindi na rin naman nila makikita ang tatay nila. Masasaktan lang ang mga bata."

"Di baleng ako na lang, basta makita ko lang ang anak ko. Dun lang ako maniniwala na wala na talaga siya," Mona added.

However, the OFW's family insisted that they still prefer that his remains would be repatriated.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Pampanga has first offered assistance for the visit of the Zapanta family in the burial site of Joselito in Saudi Arabia.

According to Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns head Eliza Muñoz, the family is now given the option to visit the grave of Zapanta instead.

Joselito's remains had been buried in accordance with Islamic burial practices and also in accordance with the Saudi government’s policy on those who are meted with the death penalty.

'Blood money' can be added to government funds

In Bacolor town, Vice President Jejomar Binay suggested that portion of the blood money raised to free Zapanta can be added in the government funds to be used for other Filipino migrants who are also in the death row.

During the visit of Binay in Zapanta's home here on Tuesday, the Vice President suggested that what will remain on Joselito's blood money can be used to save the lives of other OFWs who are also facing death in foreign countries.

"Yung mga nag-donate, that is their choice pero kung ano man yung matira, pwede natin gamitin to save other Filipinos," Binay said.

Aside from that, Binay furthered that a portion of the blood money must be given to the family of Joselito, particularly the education of his two children.

According to OFW's mother Mona, they were able to raise P23-million for his son's blood money. They were P25-million short from the victim's family's demand.

Mona said that until now, they still do not know where are the blood money raised for his son as they were not directly given to them.

"Ang sabi nasa bank account daw ng anak ko. Hindi namin alam, pero ang alam namin kumpleto na yun. Dapat nailigtas ang anak ko," Mona stressed.

Asked about his reaction on Binay's suggestion, Mona said "Wala kaming pakialam sa pera kung sanang nailigtas ang anak ko. Yun lang ang gusto ko".

Use 'blood money' for children

Meanwhile, Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos has urged that the portion of the P23-million blood money raised to supposedly save Joselito be used for the latter’s children.

“Blood money should be utilized to free our detained OFW, and also to help their bereaved families, e.g., to finance education of children,” Bishop Santos said through the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s news arm.

The prelate, who chairs the CBCP Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, made the appeal following last week’s execution of Zapanta in Saudi Arabia for killing his Sudanese landlord in 2009.

Zapanta, 35, was convicted for killing Sudanese Imam Ibrahim, with robbery, on April 13, 2010 by the Riyadh Grand Court. He was sentenced to death by beheading after the family of the victim refused to execute an Affidavit of Forgiveness or Tanazul in exchange for blood money.

Through repeated appeals from Philippine officials, Saudi authorities have agreed to bring down to SR 4 million or P44 million the blood money from the initial SR 5 million or P55 million being demanded by Zapanta’s victim. However, not enough funds were raised to pay the diyah or blood money.

“Blood money used other than that will never bear positive result nor good fruits. Thus, don’t ever use blood for personal interest nor for any political motives,” he added.

Blood money is compensation under Shariah Law that is given to the family of murder victims. Should they accept it, the family will execute an affidavit of forgiveness so that death penalty will not be carried out on the accused.

The victim’s family had demanded P55-million blood money in exchange for Zapanta’s freedom, but only P23-million was raised for the OFW. The money is currently in a bank account opened by the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

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