26.02.2014
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| Members of Migrante march to appeal against the death sentence of Joselito Zapanta (photo by Rene Sandajan) |
"We
have raised a substantial amount already. Maybe we can agree finally [to reduce
the amount of the blood money]," he said.
Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz,
nephew of Saudi King Abdullah and emir of the Riyadh region, is believed to
have pledged SAR 1 million for Zapanta's blood money and President Benigno
Aquino III had already given a substantial amount to augment Zapanta's blood
money, but still does not reach the P40 million being demanded by the victim's
family.
Zapanta
was sentenced to death by Saudi court for killing a Sudanese over a rental
dispute in 2009.
Binay
said the Philippine government and Zapanta's family have already raised a
"substantial amount" but talks to lower the blood money are still
ongoing. Ibrahim's family initially demanded SAR 5 million for the execution of
a tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness and prevent the imposition of the death
penalty, but later reduced the amount to SAR 4 million.
The
payment was originally due on November 12, 2012, which was then extended to
March 12, 2013. Another extension was granted, with the deadline moved to
November 3, 2013. A three-month extension was given on November, with the new
one-month extension being given this February.
The Vice
President continued to call for more assistance for Zapanta.
