DFA thanks Kuwaiti
Emir for Vecina's life

THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday expressed its gratitude to the emir of Kuwait who commuted the death sentence of Filipina overseas worker May Vecina to life imprisonment last July 8.

DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said in a phone interview that Vecina's case went through the judicial process and that it was out of compassion that Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah granted the Philippines' request to spare her life. "We thank the emir on his pure act of compassion in sparing the life of Vecina. We likewise appeal for clemency for her case and that of the life of other OFWs who are still on the death row in Kuwait," said Cristobal.

Vice President Noli de Castro who personally visited the emir in Kuwait to deliver President Arroyo's written request for the commutation of Vecina's sentence, said "We are first and foremost happy for May, her family and friends. God intervened and answered our prayers," after Philippine Ambassador Ricardo Endaya confirmed the commutation to him.

De Castro said that OFWs, especially domestic helpers in Middle East, should learn from the experiences of Vecina and Marilou Ranario, another OFW who was also saved by the Emir from death row last December, as they should understand that employment abroad is very difficult. "Before an OFW leaves for abroad, he must be prepared physically, emotionally, and psychologically so that he can very well cope with the stress and pressures of work and homesickness," said de Castro who is concurrent Presidential Adviser on OFWs.

Kuwaiti courts found Vecina guilty of killing her employer's son Salem Sulaiman Al-Otaib, 7, on Jan. 6, 2007 and allegedly attempting to kill Salem's 13-year-old brother Abdulla as well by slitting the boy's throat, and his 17-year-old sister Hajer by stabbing her.

At her trial, Vecina claimed that she suffered physical and mental abuse from her employer, which led her to lose her mind. The Kuwait Supreme Court sentenced her to death by hanging.

"We are doing everything we can to save our OFWs, we will continue to monitor their cases and hopefully, with their good behavior, they will be able to come back home," Cristobal said.