Saudi Arabia has carried out the execution of a Filipino citizen convicted of murder despite efforts by the Philippines to prevent it, according to officials. The Filipino, arrested in 2020 for the killing, faced the death penalty which was finalized last year and executed on Saturday.
Despite pleas from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and legal assistance provided by the government, the victim’s family refused “blood money” as a settlement. Saudi Arabia’s strict law led to the execution, drawing criticism from human rights groups for its capital punishment methods such as beheadings and public displays of the bodies.
With millions of Filipinos working abroad to support their families, the Philippines has been dependent on their remittances to sustain its economy. However, the social costs, including broken families and abuse, have been a dark side of this migration phenomenon.
The unfortunate event highlights the challenges faced by Filipino workers worldwide and brings attention to the need for better protection and welfare measures for overseas workers.