UAE pardons 3 Filipinos, including 2 on death row

Three Filipino convicts in the United Arab Emirates, including two on death row, have been pardoned by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

According to the Presidential Communication Office, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in a phone call thanked the UAE leader for granting the request  made two months ago.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. informed Marcos of the pardon on Thursday, after receiving a message from UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi.

Pardoned were two Filipinos sentenced to death because of drug trafficking and one sentenced to 15 years for slander.

"Good evening Secretary. I am pleased to inform you that the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.... has been granted humanitarian pardon by our President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan," Alzaabi said.

Marcos had submitted two  letters on April 27, urging Sheikh Mohamed to consider granting humanitarian pardons to the three Filipino prisoners.

He also thanked Sheikh Mohamed for helping families affected by the unrest of Mayon Volcano.

The UAE had generously dispatched 50 tons of food supplies and medicine to help the evacuees.

Sheikh Mohamed acknowledged the valuable contributions of the approximately 600,000 Filipinos working in the UAE.

“I am thankful because you have done so much for us. That’s the least we can do," Marcos said after the phone call.

"Then the usual things about having stronger relations and I said my part about the very good treatment of Filipino nationals in UAE,” he added.

Sheikh Mohamed invited Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December.

The initial invitation was conveyed by UAE Ambassador Mohamed during his recent visit to Malacañang.

Marcos warmly invited Sheikh Mohamed to visit the Philippines, emphasizing that the UAE leader would always be welcome in the country. —NB, GMA Integrated News