P5M pooled for doomed OFW

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—At least P5 million has been committed by 20 mayors in Pampanga and 1,500 provincial employees to Gov. Lilia Pineda in a fund drive to help raise blood money for a Kapampangan facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

The family of Joselito Zapanta must give P44 million in blood money to the family of Sudanese Saleh Imam Ibrahim so his life could be spared. Zapanta was convicted of killing Ibrahim after a fight over rent money in 2009.

Donors have been asked to deposit the money to a trust account created in the names of the provincial social welfare and development office, a nongovernment organization and the father of Zapanta, Pineda said.

Zapanta’s execution was originally scheduled for April 14, 2009, but his father, Jesus, said the Philippine government had been able to seek a deferment.

At the request of President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud deferred the execution by four more months, giving Zapanta’s family more time to raise the blood money, which was originally pegged at P55 million. Ibrahim’s family agreed to lower the amount to P44 million.

Jesus said he could not raise the money by himself because even after 20 years of working in Saudi Arabia, he had remained landless, eking a job as a farmer, carpenter or equipment operator. He appealed to Pineda for help.

News that authorities were able to help raise P5 million boosted his hopes.

“I know that is a big amount that the governor and our local officials cannot raise on their own. That’s why I have been praying that God would touch the hearts of more Filipinos to help my son. He deserves another chance to live,” Jesus said on Monday.

Zapanta, 32, has two children.

“We are trying our best and we continue to coordinate with the Vice President (Binay) to save Mr. Zapanta. Let’s hope for a miracle,” Pineda told the Inquirer.  Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon