Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino on Tuesday expressed sympathies to the family of a Filipino national executed in Saudi Arabia for the murder of a Saudi national.
“It is with deep sorrow and regret that we confirm the recent execution of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after being convicted of murder,” Magsino said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the deceased, who are facing an unimaginable loss during this painful time,” she added.
Magsino said that while they respect the laws and judicial processes of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the incident continues to serve as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of Filipinos abroad, especially those facing criminal charges.
She said the OFW party-list group is in close coordination with the government agencies concerned to ensure that migrant and non-migrant Filipino workers receive proper legal representation and support, particularly in serious cases like those involving capital punishment.
“As representative of the OFW sector, I am steadfast in the OFW Party List’s commitment to push for stronger protections for our migrant workers, to guarantee their rights, and to strengthen diplomatic efforts to safeguard their welfare,” Magsino stressed.
“This includes enhancing legal aid and creating preventive programs that educate OFWs about the laws and customs of their host countries,” she added.
“As we mourn the death of our kababayan, we must continue looking into the contributing factors to the increasing number of OFWs on death row in the host countries and improve the various assistance currently being provided by the government in their legal battles as well as in alleviating their conditions while in incarceration.”
