PHL Gov’t Urged To Disclose ‘Blood Money’ Policy

Migrante, a migrant worker’s welfare group yesterday urged the Philippine government to reveal its policy on blood money amid requests of government assistance from families of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) currently on death row.


The request was made as a follow up to Malacañang’s decision to form a technical working group (TWG) last July to study the government’s policy on blood money, a term that refers to money paid to next of kin of a murder victim as a form of fine. In Islamic terms, Qisas can in some cases result in blood money being paid out to the family of victims. The amount varies from country to country and from case to case.

The decision to form TWG was made after a meeting called by Malacanang with representatives of foreign affairs, justice, budget and management, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on political affairs last July 20.

John Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East, said it’s about time to seek the government’s opinion.

“Little less than 2 months since the creation of TWG on blood money, we believe it is time to hear from the Malacanang-formed TWG what are its policy proposals in regards to finding sources for the blood money of OFWs on death row,” said Monterona.

Monterona cited the request for blood money of the family of Rogelio ‘Dondon’ Lanuza, one of the OFWs on death row in Saudi Arabia.

“Amid Lanuza’s family plea to the government to help them raise the required blood money, the Lanuza’s are still awaiting a clear reply from the government,” Monterona said.

Migrante said that Lanuza was convicted in 2000 for killing a Saudi national, an act made only to defend his self. Lanuza has since been incarcerated in Dammam Central jail, Dammam, eastern part of Saudi Arabia.

Monterona, meanwhile, said that Lanuza’s mother has asked their group to arrange a meeting with Vice President Jejomar binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns.

He said Lanuza’s mother, who is based in the United States, is scheduled to arrive mid-September in the Philippines to personally appeal to President Aquino, Binay and officials of concerned government agencies to help them raise the blood money.