Press Release
12 April 2012
OFW Don Lanuza spared from death: A victory of OFWs collective action
Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), through its regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, received the below statement from OFW in Saudi death row Rogelio Dondon Lanuza on April 10. Lanuza confirmed that the reconciliation team headed by former Amb. Antonio Villamor who was in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago have succeeded in convincing the aggrieved family to formally accept the blood money offered by Lanuza’s party through the Saudi Reconciliation Committee.
The formal blood money acceptance of the aggrieved family will spare Lanuza off the hook on the death row. The Saudi’s highest court affirmed the death sentence of OFW Lanuza on 2001 for unintentional killing of a Saudi national sometime August 2000.
Like OFW Lanuza, we would like to convey our gratitude to fellow OFWs and Filipinos all around the world who have joined our campaign ‘Save Don Lanuza’ and who never questioned our noble intentions of asking even a financial support for the required blood money to secure the agrrieved family’s forgiveness leading to OFW Lanuza’s eventual release from prison upon completion of the required blood money amount.
Migrante-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona is in contact with OFW Lanuza to get the details of his release. Once it is available and we get clearance from the concerned authorities we will share the same to our fellow concerned OFWs and supporters.
We would like to remind the PH government that there are still OFWs on death row, aside from Don Lanuza who just recently secured forgiveness from the aggrieved family.
As per M-ME monitoring, there are about 8 OFWs languishing in various jails in the Middle East, 6 of them were sentence to death, 4 are facing possible death sentence upon conviction on various criminal offenses.
In our efforts saving the lives of OFWs on death row, we will continue our “Save OFWs on death row’ campaign and vows to intensify until we collectively secure their lives from execution. The OFWs on death row, like most of the OFWs, were victims of forced migration prompting them to accept jobs abroad even if there is no guarantee of their safety and protection.
Truly, collective action brings forth big result such as saving the lives of ill-fated OFWs incarcerated in foreign jails.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
Statement of OFW on-death row Rogelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza sent to M-ME Monterona on April 10, 2012
When one’s foot is in the grave, he is left with despair, fear and
hopelessness. The knowledge that one’s life will be snuffed out in an instance has been haunting me all throughout.
I have been in this dire situation for the past few years and the flame of hope was about to be extinguished, yet people from all walks of life have encouraged me to continue my plight and for that I am truly grateful.
Being behind bars have opened my eyes to how much freedom can be so delicate that taking things for granted in the future is no longer an option for me. I am forever in the debts of such fine and noble people and the Filipino community for helping me realize my dream to finally be with my family and to become fruitful once again to the society.
Humbled, let me express once again my sincerest and utmost gratitude to everyone. God has truly been good that I have never been forgotten. He has brought people to me to keep me awake and look forward to my goal. To my Creator, the glory is always for You! I am now a changed man with a better outlook in life. For the aggrieved family, my utmost gratitude for sparing my life, hearing the plea of my loved ones and giving me the chance to be
with them again. This I shall forever cherish.
This would not have been possible if not for the efforts of the Saudi Reconciliation Committee who have intervened on my behalf to the family and made it possible for them to forgive me of my wrongdoing. I am so blessed that HRH Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Saud, Governor of Eastern Province took time off
to closely monitor my case.
God has also worked His wonders through the life of Sir Bobby Reyes for if it weren’t for him my case would not have fallen to the attention of Ma’am Loida Nicolas Lewis. Ma’am Loida Nicolas Lewis has proven to be the final catalyst for my case to lift off to its realization. She, being a model of sincerity a God fearing woman and the epitome of a Filipina for a just cause was the moving hand towards my appeal to influential and common people alike to push my case forward. I am forever indebted to you and pray that your tribe increase.
The mobilization for the
campaign for my freedom would not have its fruition without the lieutenants who have spearheaded it. My thanks to Ate Liza for keeping my campaign
afloat, Ate Bituin Aquino and Carissa Villacorta for drumming up the support I needed for the campaign and letting the people be aware of my plight.
How can I forget former Ambassador Antonio Villamor who even after his retirement, pursued my case without haste and saw it through to the final negotiations. You have been the father who looked after me even if I was at times a hard case. My apologies and thanks I return.
To the Philippine government through its branches, the Philippine Embassy and DFA staffs and to Usec Rafael Seguis for being there during the penultimate negotiations and the patience of Col. Abdulrahman Aqil Al-Aqil to push through with the February 27, 2011 negotiations, the success of my case has been in your hands. You have truly been instrumental for my freedom.
My appreciation for the people who had no second thoughts of lending a hand to share their influence to other people through the likes of Tita Susan Ople, Tita Ellene Sana, Kuya Reggie Jose, Ate Annie Malilay Paderes, Roselle Benito and Tito Charlie Madrigal. My family shall always pray for your kind souls.
Migrante Middle East through their representative John Monterona for driving my case to the government’s attention that have inspired me to no end to be alive. Long live such tireless workers and cause oriented groups.
My brothers and sisters from the Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma Triskelion Grand Fraternity and Sorority you have shown me that you are the extension of my family. Thank you all.
The influence brought about by social networks making my predicament known to countless countrymen from abroad and the Philippines thank you for your support, encouraging words and prayers. It is with your unisoned prayers that God has spared my life.
I am so blessed and humbled to those faceless men and women who have contributed financially for my cause including the Filipino Community Groups and our unsung Household Workers who did not blink to shell off their hard earned money to help me out.
This goes to all OFW Worldwide for their untiring support financially and morally. For the media who have followed my case ever so faithfully, the influence you have brought about in bringing my case forward shall not be forgotten.
My hats off goes to GMA7, TV5, ABSCBN2 and all the Philippine local newspapers and tabloids that kept my case afloat and in the public’s eye. Forever you have shown the power of the free press.
And for all who have supported me in one way or another, I may not have thanked you personally please bear in mind that you have uplifted a hapless soul and have given a revitalized life in me.
My family how can I ever say thank you for not giving up on me. I commit myself to doing the same thing you have done to my fellowmen. May I be a continuing model that the Filipino sense of bayanihan and the resilience of the Filipino spirit are alive and well.
My apologies to those I have offended in the past. There were times that my frustrations have turned to anger and blinded my sight. Thank you for not giving up on me.
At last, my ordeal comes to an end. The success I return to all. Mabuhay po tayong lahat.
Long live all.
Dondon Celestino Lanuza
hopelessness. The knowledge that one’s life will be snuffed out in an instance has been haunting me all throughout.
I have been in this dire situation for the past few years and the flame of hope was about to be extinguished, yet people from all walks of life have encouraged me to continue my plight and for that I am truly grateful.
Being behind bars have opened my eyes to how much freedom can be so delicate that taking things for granted in the future is no longer an option for me. I am forever in the debts of such fine and noble people and the Filipino community for helping me realize my dream to finally be with my family and to become fruitful once again to the society.
Humbled, let me express once again my sincerest and utmost gratitude to everyone. God has truly been good that I have never been forgotten. He has brought people to me to keep me awake and look forward to my goal. To my Creator, the glory is always for You! I am now a changed man with a better outlook in life. For the aggrieved family, my utmost gratitude for sparing my life, hearing the plea of my loved ones and giving me the chance to be
with them again. This I shall forever cherish.
This would not have been possible if not for the efforts of the Saudi Reconciliation Committee who have intervened on my behalf to the family and made it possible for them to forgive me of my wrongdoing. I am so blessed that HRH Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Saud, Governor of Eastern Province took time off
to closely monitor my case.
God has also worked His wonders through the life of Sir Bobby Reyes for if it weren’t for him my case would not have fallen to the attention of Ma’am Loida Nicolas Lewis. Ma’am Loida Nicolas Lewis has proven to be the final catalyst for my case to lift off to its realization. She, being a model of sincerity a God fearing woman and the epitome of a Filipina for a just cause was the moving hand towards my appeal to influential and common people alike to push my case forward. I am forever indebted to you and pray that your tribe increase.
The mobilization for the
campaign for my freedom would not have its fruition without the lieutenants who have spearheaded it. My thanks to Ate Liza for keeping my campaign
afloat, Ate Bituin Aquino and Carissa Villacorta for drumming up the support I needed for the campaign and letting the people be aware of my plight.
How can I forget former Ambassador Antonio Villamor who even after his retirement, pursued my case without haste and saw it through to the final negotiations. You have been the father who looked after me even if I was at times a hard case. My apologies and thanks I return.
To the Philippine government through its branches, the Philippine Embassy and DFA staffs and to Usec Rafael Seguis for being there during the penultimate negotiations and the patience of Col. Abdulrahman Aqil Al-Aqil to push through with the February 27, 2011 negotiations, the success of my case has been in your hands. You have truly been instrumental for my freedom.
My appreciation for the people who had no second thoughts of lending a hand to share their influence to other people through the likes of Tita Susan Ople, Tita Ellene Sana, Kuya Reggie Jose, Ate Annie Malilay Paderes, Roselle Benito and Tito Charlie Madrigal. My family shall always pray for your kind souls.
Migrante Middle East through their representative John Monterona for driving my case to the government’s attention that have inspired me to no end to be alive. Long live such tireless workers and cause oriented groups.
My brothers and sisters from the Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma Triskelion Grand Fraternity and Sorority you have shown me that you are the extension of my family. Thank you all.
The influence brought about by social networks making my predicament known to countless countrymen from abroad and the Philippines thank you for your support, encouraging words and prayers. It is with your unisoned prayers that God has spared my life.
I am so blessed and humbled to those faceless men and women who have contributed financially for my cause including the Filipino Community Groups and our unsung Household Workers who did not blink to shell off their hard earned money to help me out.
This goes to all OFW Worldwide for their untiring support financially and morally. For the media who have followed my case ever so faithfully, the influence you have brought about in bringing my case forward shall not be forgotten.
My hats off goes to GMA7, TV5, ABSCBN2 and all the Philippine local newspapers and tabloids that kept my case afloat and in the public’s eye. Forever you have shown the power of the free press.
And for all who have supported me in one way or another, I may not have thanked you personally please bear in mind that you have uplifted a hapless soul and have given a revitalized life in me.
My family how can I ever say thank you for not giving up on me. I commit myself to doing the same thing you have done to my fellowmen. May I be a continuing model that the Filipino sense of bayanihan and the resilience of the Filipino spirit are alive and well.
My apologies to those I have offended in the past. There were times that my frustrations have turned to anger and blinded my sight. Thank you for not giving up on me.
At last, my ordeal comes to an end. The success I return to all. Mabuhay po tayong lahat.
Long live all.
Dondon Celestino Lanuza
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