VP Binay promised to save Joselito Zapanta

Migrante Partylist Rome, Italy
26.02.2014

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.