CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The mother and sister of executed Kapampangan overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joselito Zapanta disclosed on Wednesday that they want the “blood money” or “donation” raised to save him used for the education of his two children.
The OFW’s mother Mona and sister Rose Mary, told Sun.Star Pampanga in a meeting at Heroes Hall in this city that they are “not inclined to agree” with the proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay that “a sizable portion of the P23-million blood money raised to free Zapanta can be added to government funds to be used for other Filipino migrants who are also in death row, but depending on the discretion of donors.”
“Para pong hindi dapat iyung gusto ni Vice President Binay dahil iyun ay para kay Joselito. Kami ang nagpakahirap upang malikom ang mga donasyon para masagip at mabuhay si Joselito. Ngayong wala na siya, gusto sana namin na mapunta iyun sa mga anak ni Joselito para sa edukasyon at kinabukasan nila. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi namin alam kung nasaan pa nga iyun,” Mona said.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she added that money could not have mattered at all if the 35-year-old Joselito was saved from execution last week 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.
“Kung buhay ang anak ko, hindi kami maghahabol. Pero ngayong wala na siya, kailangan namin ng tulong. Nais lang naming masiguro na mapupunta iyun sa mga apo ko at hindi mawaldas ng iba, lalo na ang asawa ni Joselito ay mayroon ng ibang pamilya. Sana naman ay mapunta sa mga bata ang pera dahil iyun din ang gusto ni Joselito. Hindi kami naghahangad kundi humihingi ng tamang paraan kung saan talaga dapat iyun mapunta,” said Mona, adding that other OFW friends of his son have signified their intention to oppose Binay’s proposal.
She also reiterated her wish to visit her son’s tomb in Riyadh, after hopes for the body’s repatriation dimmed under Muslim tradition that remains be buried immediately. Joselito had converted to Islam while in Saudi Arabia.
“Kung pwede po sana at kung may tutulong sa amin,” Mona said.
Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon was quick to offer assistance, if authorities would grant the Zapantas’ request.
“If authorities would allow it, why not? Konti lang naman na gastos iyun at handa tayong tumulong,” he said.
Hizon also agreed to install a tombstone at the municipal cemetery, in remembrance of Joselito as the Zapantas remember him on his ninth day today with a mass and gathering of friends. Joselito’s children will also fly in from Biliran to attend the rites.
“Gayun pa rin po, taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong lalo na sa ating mga lider at mga Kapampangan,” concluded Mona. (JTD)