Opinion: Why Government Should Not Pay Blood Money for Convicted OFWs Abroad

Reading the title of this article maybe a pain, but before jumping into conclusion, let’s take a look at the numbers and analyze the current condition here and abroad.

• 79 more Filipinos are on death row abroad
• Most of the charges are murder and illegal drugs
• An average of 40 million Pesos blood money is needed to bring home each convicted OFW
• About P3.16B is needed to bring all convicted OFW’s home (excluding plane tickets and other transportation expenses).

OFWs on death row by country

• Malaysia – 41
• Thailand – 1
• Indonesia – 1
• Brunei – 2
• Vietnam – 1
• US – 2
• Saudi Arabia – 27
• Kuwait – 2
• UAE – 1
• Lebanon – 1

Yes, it is a pain to hear when one of our countrymen is executed in another land, but why the government should not pay for blood money after all legal options are exhausted? It is foolish to pay 40 million pesos for a life of a criminal. Yes, I said it right. How many “good and needy” people can eat and live in comfort for 40 million pesos here in the Philippines? The government has other better things to do than wasting time negotiating with other countries for the release of these “criminals”. Remember what DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) said. “Most of the OFWs on death row are charged with murder and illegal drugs”. Can you imagine how big is 40 million pesos that you ask the government to spend to save a “single useless life”? I couldn’t imagine how these militant groups make their living. I never heard of any useful things these protesters have said towards the Filipino people and the government ever since. You cannot blame the government because your family is on death row outside the country. Yes, the government will try its best “in legal” way to save its people, but you cannot ask for more when legal options fell short. You cannot ask for blood money from the government and Filipinos whose people are suffering locally. I hate to say this, but let the destiny decide for the fate of convicted OFWs. I won’t donate a single cent for the freedom of someone who gave shame to his country and his family. Don’t get me wrong. One of my first cousins years ago was convicted and jailed for 7 years in Kuwait for an offense “he admitted”. Our family accepted the truth that “he deliberately made a mistake” so we were ready for any worst thing that could happen. Thank god that his mistake was not enough to put him on death row, and he was released years later. I don’t believe in innocence from someone who is on the death row. The court of other nations will decide for the capital punishment if evidence are not enough. Hate me, but look around you first before believing in those protesters who do nothing, (not even paying taxes) , but antagonizing the government in all possible way – as their means of living. “Human Rights is the most overrated term in the Philippines”, by Vernalyn Madrigal of Alabang, Muntinlupa City

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