At least 44 Filipinos abroad on death row —DMW

There are at least 44 Filipinos abroad currently facing the death penalty, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

This was disclosed during the continuation of the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed 2025 national budget past midnight on Wednesday.

Upon the interpellation of Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, DMW budget sponsor Senator Joel Villanueva disclosed that 41 of the Filipinos on death row are in Malaysia, two are in Brunei and one is in Saudi Arabia.  Their cases are mostly drug-related and murder.

In the case of the Filipina who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, Villanueva said the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) allegedly stabbed her employer to death after she was verbally and physically abused.

"She claims it was...self-defense. A petition for reconsideration was submitted through the department's legal retainer," Villanueva said.

The Filipina in Saudi Arabia is appealing her case through the DMW's retainer lawyer and has been detained for about seven years now.

Villanueva said the DMW has been "negotiating and convincing" the family of the OFW's victim to accept the blood money.

On the 41 Filipinos sentenced to death in Malaysia, Villanueva said some of them were drug mules and some were caught for possessing illegal substances.

"The [Migrant Workers Office] in Malaysia provided financial assistance to the workers and is regularly monitoring their conditions," Villanueva said.

Meanwhile, the execution of the two Filipinos facing capital punishment after being convicted of murder in Brunei was put on hold due to the de facto moratorium on death sentences in the Southeast Asian country.

"Both workers are regularly being visited by the department and being monitored by our Migrant Workers Office in Brunei. Their families were also assisted by the department during their compassionate visit to Brunei," Villanueva said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News