A party-list representative urged the government to enhance legal protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) following the recent execution of a Filipino national in Saudi Arabia.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino expressed her deep sorrow over the incident, which involved a Filipino sentenced to death for murder under Saudi Arabia’s qisas law, or “eye for an eye” retribution. In a statement on Tuesday, Magsino stressed the vulnerability of OFWs facing criminal charges abroad and called for stronger measures to protect them, particularly in cases involving capital punishment.
“As representative of the OFW sector, I am steadfast in the OFW party-list’s commitment to push for stronger protections for our migrant workers, to guarantee their rights, and to strengthen diplomatic efforts to safeguard their welfare,” Magsino said.
She highlighted the importance of providing OFWs with adequate legal representation and urged the government to enhance educational programs to inform Filipino workers about the legal systems and customs of their host countries.
Magsino also called for an investigation into the growing number of OFWs on death row, suggesting that preventive and support programs should be improved to prevent such tragic outcomes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the execution through the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, although Saudi authorities have not officially notified the embassy or the victim’s family. Philippine Embassy Chargé d’affaires Rommel Romato explained that the execution proceeded in accordance with local procedures, which do not require prior notification.
The Philippine government had provided legal assistance to the Filipino national, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. even appealed to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in an effort to save the worker’s life, according to Romato. Despite these efforts, the execution was carried out.
