By Sammy F. Martin
https://youtu.be/z7MF9jG6J-E
MANILA, Jan. 25 (PNA) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that overseas Filipino worker Jakatia Pawa from Zamboanga del Norte was executed by hanging at 10:19 a.m. in Kuwait (3:19 p.m., Manila time) Wednesday.
“We extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of Ms. Pawa,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a press briefing Wednesday.
Jose said the Philippine government was informed about Pawa’s execution only on Tuesday, January 24.
The DFA said earlier that it tried to save the life of Pawa, who was sentenced to death in Kuwait for stabbing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter while she was asleep on May 14, 2007.
“The embassy made the last-ditch efforts, trying to save her. The embassy made representations with the Office of the Ameer, while at the same time, the department called early this morning the Charge d’ Affaires of the Kuwaiti embassy here in Manila,” the spokesperson said.
Jose said the DFA was hoping, up to the last minute, that the family will accept the blood money, but unfortunately, the family did not agree.
He said the 32-year-old Pawa was sentenced to death by the Kuwaiti criminal court on April 14 2008 for allegedly killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer.
On June 15, 2009, Kuwait’s Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the trial court. On January 19, 2010, the Kuwaiti Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence.
Jose explained that since 2007, DFA has pursued different channels in efforts to save the life of Pawa, including high level intercessions led by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“The embassy had been likewise underlenting in appealing to the family of the victim to grant tanasul or letter of forgiveness in favour of Miss Pawa but to no avail,” Jose said.
Pawa was represented by two law firms hired by the Philippine government at all stages of the court proceedings.
He said the family of Pawa was able to travel to Kuwait three times and the last one took place in October 2016, and it included her two children and a brother. The visits were facilitated by the Philippine government.
Jose said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait was only informed by the Kuwaiti authorities yesterday or a day before the scheduled execution.
He reiterate that the Philippine government led by the Philippine Embassy made the last ditch effort to save her but their appeal fell on deaf ears.
