PHILIPPINES TO COME UP WITH POLICY ON BLOOD MONEY

MANILA, Philippines - The technical group that was created to draft the policy has finished its job. The group's recommendations will soon be presented to President Benigno Aquino for his approval; Vice-President Jejomar Binay told 990 AM in an interview.
Having that draft completed, the Philippine government will soon reveal its policy on the payment of ‘blood money' to help free Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) jailed in the Middle East, a radio report said.

• Aquino's approval of the proposed policy will help fast-track the release of ‘blood money' and help free OFWs who were convicted to die or sentenced to life imprisonment in the Middle East, Binay said. He did not give details.
• The drafting of the government's policy on the release of ‘blood money' will ensure that all OFWs who need such support will be assisted, sources told Gulf News. ‘Blood money' is offered by the Philippine government to the aggrieved party, on behalf of the OFW who has committed a crime.
• The aggrieved party's acceptance of blood money is a sign of forgiveness for the convicted OFW.
• Meanwhile, Migrante, a militant labour group, asked the Philippine government to help source ‘blood money' for the relatives of a Saudi national who was killed by Rogelio Lanuza in Damman.
• The victim's family has agreed to forgive Lanuza in exchange for ‘blood money', Migrante said in the same radio interview. Lanuza has been jailed in Damman since 2000.

Many OFWs are languishing in jail for murder, drug trafficking, and gambling.
There are about nine million OFWs worldwide. They represent 10 per cent of the country's population of 92 million. The OFWs send an estimated $18 billion (Dh66.11 billion) to their loved ones in the Philippines every year.

Source: Agency