DFA: OFW executed for murder of Saudi national acted in self-defense
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega (PNA file photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday made a clarification about the recent execution of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia last month.
In a statement, DFA Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega defined the clarification as "a sensitive matter" after hearing from the OFW’s family about the incident.
"I realize that my previous comments to the media did not actually convey the complete picture of what occurred," de Vega said. "I now understand that the physical altercation between the OFW and the victim over a business dispute that led to this unfortunate incident was more serious than previously known."
Earlier, Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Chargé d'affaires Rommel Romato said the Saudi government carried out the execution without prior notification to the embassy or the Filipino national's family “in accordance with local procedures”.
Romato said the OFW was executed for the killing of a Saudi national stemming from a financial dispute.
De Vega clarified that the OFW was threatened, attacked, and beaten in his own residence by the victim over monetary issues.
"This prior assault by the victim would later compel the OFW to act in what he believed to be self-defense, resulting in the death of the victim," he said.
"What began as a professional disagreement escalated into a physical and later fatal confrontation that forever changed multiple lives."
While his statement cannot undo the outcome of the incident, de Vega said the DFA owes it to the OFW’s family "to publicly acknowledge the full context of the events."
"May this clarification help provide some measure of peace to the family and to all those affected by this tragedy," he said.
He also reiterated that no further interviews or queries on the matter will be entertained "out of respect for the family’s privacy." (PNA)
