Published - Saudi pardons ‘drug mule’

By ROY C. MABASA, Manila Bulletin

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 by a tribunal of three judges for involvement in smuggling shabu into Saudi Arabia was pardoned and freed Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Monday.

The DFA declined to disclose the identity of the OFW in deference to the request of his family for privacy.

The Filipino “drug mule” was apprehended by Saudi law enforcement agents in February, 2008 after he received a postal package with shabu hidden inside.

Smuggling and selling of illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are crimes punishable by the death penalty, the DFA said.

Following his arrest, the Philippine embassy in Riyadh exerted utmost efforts in ensuring that his legal rights were respected during the investigation process and in trial.

In November, 2009, the OFW was sentenced to death by a tribunal of three judges.

Through the Philippine embassy, the OFW filed an appeal.

Two members of the tribunal, on the basis of the appeal, reduced the penalty from death to 15 years imprisonment, 1,500 lashes, and a karama (fine) of Saudi Riyals 100,000.