Nearly 60 overseas Filipino workers are currently on death row in various countries, with most cases reported in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac revealed the figure on Thursday, noting that Malaysia has the highest number of Filipinos facing capital punishment, followed by Saudi Arabia.
“We have around 60 all over the world. Majority are in Malaysia, and second would be Saudi,” Cacdac confirmed in a Daily Tribune report.
In a recent breakthrough, the DMW facilitated the release and repatriation of a Mindanao-based OFW who was previously sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for drug-related charges. The worker, convicted on September 10, 2024, was acquitted in January but only returned to the Philippines on June 10.
“His lawyer in Riyadh was good,” Cacdac said, acknowledging the legal defense that helped secure the acquittal. “Rest assured we will further strengthen our legal assistance programs because this is the clear direction of our President — to provide protection and assistance to OFWs, those facing legal cases, especially those who committed no wrongdoing, like in this case.”
With Malaysia having abolished the mandatory death penalty last year, Cacdac added that the DMW is collaborating with Malaysian authorities to negotiate commutations on a case-by-case basis. Filipino workers on death row may now have their sentences reduced to life imprisonment, depending on judicial discretion.
