Remains of executed Filipino will not be repatriated – PH Embassy in Riyadh

The remains of the Filipino executed in Saudi Arabia cannot be repatriated to the Philippines in accordance to the Shari’ah Law.

Joseph Morong reported on "24 Oras" Wednesday that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said that this was the standard for executed individuals in the country.

“Kahit gustuhin nating iuwi, yung mga nakaraang execution ganoon din po yung naging procedure. (Even if we want to bring the remains of the Filipino executed in Saudi Arabia, this was the procedure for executions in the past.) They do not allow the remains of those executed to be returned to the sending countries,” said Riyadh Charges D’Affaires Rommel Romato.

The executed Filipino was charged for hitting a Saudi National twice in the head due to conflicts regarding business.

The Philippine Embassy said that they tried to appeal to the family to forgive the Filipino under the Shari’ah Law, the family refused to do so.

“[We appealed to] the father, the brother and the rest of the family to convince [them], pero hindi po naibigay yung forgiveness na inaasahan natin from the family. The Saudi government tried their best to cooperate by postponing the execution. Binigyan po tayo ng ample time to negotiate with the family, which we did po,” added Romato.

(“[We appealed to] the father, the brother and the rest of the family to convince [them], but they weren’t able to grant the forgiveness that we were hoping from the family. The Saudi government tried their best to cooperate by postponing the execution. We were given ample time to negotiate with the family, which we did.)

Sheikh Mahid Mangodaya, who studied Islamic Law in Saudia Arabia, said that the Shari’ah Law adheres to “an eye for an eye” tenet.

“Pagbibigay ng parusang katumbas ng pinsalang ginawa ng isang tao laban sa iba,” said Sheikh Mangondaya.

(The penalty given must be equal with the harm done by one person against another.)

However, if the accused was forgiven by the entire family, even the younger children, the sentence they receive may lessen.

The forgiveness will not apply if even one member of the family refused to forgive the accused.

“Kung lahat po sila ay buhay, ‘yung mga magulang, mga anak, asawa, dapat magkakasundo sila na magkaisa sila na sila ay magpatawad. Kasi isa lang sa kanila na sumalungat sa desisyon ng karamihan ay hindi po yan matutupad ‘yung pagpapatawad,” Sheikh Mangondaya added.

(If they are all alive, the parents, the children, the spouse, they should all unanimously agree to forgive. Because if even one person opposes the decision of the majority, the forgiveness will not be applied.)

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said that there are still nine Filipinos on death row, with one case scheduled to be executed before the end of the year.

“Meron tayong ina-anticipate, but we are hopeful na ma-save po sya. Hopefully, magkaroon po ng forgiveness within the year, pero ang kinakatakutan natin ay within the year din magkaroon ng execution because matagal na itong nakaiskedyul at anytime pwedeng ma-execute,” said Romato.

(We are anticipating another, but we are hopeful that they will be saved. Hopefully, there will be forgiveness within the year, but we fear that there will also be execution within the year because this has been scheduled a long time ago and they may be executed at any time.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News