PRESS RELEASE
By Garry Martinez, Chairperson - MIGRANTE International
The Netherlands
February 4, 2010
Save the life of Jakatia Pawa now!
This was the united call of migrant workers, muslim community leaders, women activists, progressive legislators and a presidential candidate in a press conference launching a movement to rescue a Filipina domestic helper from execution.
We are calling on our fellow Filipinos here and abroad, and the whole international community to press on the Amir of the State of Kuwait to spare Jakatia Pawa from capital punishment. We are keeping our fingers crossed. We hope that he will give Pawa clemency as he did with May Vecina and Marilou Ranario, said Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
From Left Garry Martinez, Sis. Mau, GWP Rep Ilagan and Muslim Groups
Last January 19, the highest court in Kuwait affirmed the death sentence on Pawa after convicting her of killing the 22-year old daughter of her employer two years ago. The final decision now rests on the hands of the Kuwaiti Head of State.
The Emir commuted the death sentence of Ranario while Vecina was given full pardon. Both worked as domestic helpers in Kuwait in the hope of providing a better life for their families.
The Movement, which was spearheaded by Migrante also launched its online petition in the hopes of getting hundreds of thousands of signatures which will be sent to the Kuwaiti government before the end of the month. The petition also encourages the signatories to send a personal appeal to the Emir.
Groups who have pledged commitment to the cause are the Office of Senator Manny Villar, Office of Cong. Liza Maza (Makabayan Coalition), Office of Cong. Luz Ilagan (Gabriela Womens Party), Religious of the Good Shepherd Sisters, Salaam Mosque Madrasah Advisory Council and Migrante chapters in the Middle-East.
Migrante Leads Signature Drive for Jakatia Pawa
Garry Martinez for Save Jakatia Pawa Campaign
According to Martinez, their efforts to catapult a massive campaign is supported by Pawas relatives. In my phone conversation with his brother Major Angaris Pawa, he expressed his gratitude to our kababayans who are helping her to be saved.
The verdict on Pawa could have not reached to this alarming stage if the Philippine government has done its duty to provide her immediate legal assistance. Their action came in too late. Pawa deserves no less than a personal visit of President Arroyo herself to Kuwait to ask the Emir for her commutation, Martinez said.
The government said that Flor Contemplacion will be the last Filipino to be hanged. Apparently these sad occurrences worsened under the present regime. They are squeezing the OFWs dry of their earnings through increasing state exactions, and yet they get no security from the government. Proteksyon hindi koleksyon! Serbisyo hindi negosyo! cried Martinez.
According to Migrantes records, there has been six beheadings under the term of President Arroyo.
Migrante is set to intensify their campaign for Pawa towards huge protest rallies on March 8 and March 17 marks the 15th year anniversary of the death of Flor Contemplacion, a domestic helper who was hanged in Singapore.
Online Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethelifecampaign _migranteinternational/
For more info: http://migrantecampaign.ning.com
OFWs, Women legislators, Muslim Community and Manny Villar unite efforts to save the life of Filipina in deathrow
By Garry Martinez, Chairperson - MIGRANTE International
The Netherlands
February 4, 2010
Save the life of Jakatia Pawa now!
This was the united call of migrant workers, muslim community leaders, women activists, progressive legislators and a presidential candidate in a press conference launching a movement to rescue a Filipina domestic helper from execution.
We are calling on our fellow Filipinos here and abroad, and the whole international community to press on the Amir of the State of Kuwait to spare Jakatia Pawa from capital punishment. We are keeping our fingers crossed. We hope that he will give Pawa clemency as he did with May Vecina and Marilou Ranario, said Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International.
From Left Garry Martinez, Sis. Mau, GWP Rep Ilagan and Muslim Groups
Last January 19, the highest court in Kuwait affirmed the death sentence on Pawa after convicting her of killing the 22-year old daughter of her employer two years ago. The final decision now rests on the hands of the Kuwaiti Head of State.
The Emir commuted the death sentence of Ranario while Vecina was given full pardon. Both worked as domestic helpers in Kuwait in the hope of providing a better life for their families.
The Movement, which was spearheaded by Migrante also launched its online petition in the hopes of getting hundreds of thousands of signatures which will be sent to the Kuwaiti government before the end of the month. The petition also encourages the signatories to send a personal appeal to the Emir.
Groups who have pledged commitment to the cause are the Office of Senator Manny Villar, Office of Cong. Liza Maza (Makabayan Coalition), Office of Cong. Luz Ilagan (Gabriela Womens Party), Religious of the Good Shepherd Sisters, Salaam Mosque Madrasah Advisory Council and Migrante chapters in the Middle-East.
Migrante Leads Signature Drive for Jakatia Pawa
Garry Martinez for Save Jakatia Pawa Campaign
The verdict on Pawa could have not reached to this alarming stage if the Philippine government has done its duty to provide her immediate legal assistance. Their action came in too late. Pawa deserves no less than a personal visit of President Arroyo herself to Kuwait to ask the Emir for her commutation, Martinez said.
The government said that Flor Contemplacion will be the last Filipino to be hanged. Apparently these sad occurrences worsened under the present regime. They are squeezing the OFWs dry of their earnings through increasing state exactions, and yet they get no security from the government. Proteksyon hindi koleksyon! Serbisyo hindi negosyo! cried Martinez.
According to Migrantes records, there has been six beheadings under the term of President Arroyo.
Migrante is set to intensify their campaign for Pawa towards huge protest rallies on March 8 and March 17 marks the 15th year anniversary of the death of Flor Contemplacion, a domestic helper who was hanged in Singapore.
Online Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethelifecampaign _migranteinternational/
For more info: http://migrantecampaign.ning.com
Edd K. Usman
Manila, Philippines
Fri 5th February 2010
Ulama seek mercy for Pawa’s life
By EDD K. USMAN
Manila Bulletin
January 26, 2010, 3:37pm
The upholding by the Court of Cassation in Kuwait, the last and final stage when making an appeal to the Arab State’s Shari'ah courts, of the death sentence on Filipino household helper Jakatia Pawa, 34, has prompted Muslim religious leaders in the Philippines to intervene and seek mercy for Pawa.
Ulama League of the Philippines [ULP] president Judge Abu Ali Cali and the Philippine Center for Halal Awareness [PhilHalal] headed by Ustadhz Abdulhadie Daguit joined the frantic appeal to save the life of Pawa.
Cali and Daguit spoke on Monday to the Manila Bulletin by phone.
Ulama is plural of aleem, from the Arabic word “ilm” [knowledge] and have come to mean a knowledgeable person or scholar in Islam. Aleem can also refer to an Islamic theologian.
Pawa denied killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer or sponsor, as she pointed to an unnamed neighbor of the family.
Pawa was accused of killing her sponsor’s daughter on May 14, 2007.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Andaya said that based on Pawa’s testimony, he believes she is innocent.
Saddened by the incident, Andaya said, however, that “we have to respect the Kuwaiti court’s decision.”
Cali, a Shari’ah judge in Mindanao, said his appeal was addressed to Kuwait’s highest leader, Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to his former classmates at the University of Kuwait, and the family of Pawa’s victim.
Cali said “we support Jakatia Pawa’s plea for mercy on her life. She deserves to live.”
Daguit said there has always been a way out in Islamic Law [Shari’ah] for preserving the life of one who was sentenced to death.
This is the process in the Shari’ah Islamic Law that opens the door for possible mercy from the victim’s family. But it depends on the forgiveness from the victims, said the PhilHalal president. #
N.B. I pray that Jakatia Pawa's life be saved. There is still time!
Manila, Philippines
Fri 5th February 2010
Ulama seek mercy for Pawa’s life
By EDD K. USMAN
Manila Bulletin
January 26, 2010, 3:37pm
The upholding by the Court of Cassation in Kuwait, the last and final stage when making an appeal to the Arab State’s Shari'ah courts, of the death sentence on Filipino household helper Jakatia Pawa, 34, has prompted Muslim religious leaders in the Philippines to intervene and seek mercy for Pawa.
Ulama League of the Philippines [ULP] president Judge Abu Ali Cali and the Philippine Center for Halal Awareness [PhilHalal] headed by Ustadhz Abdulhadie Daguit joined the frantic appeal to save the life of Pawa.
Cali and Daguit spoke on Monday to the Manila Bulletin by phone.
Ulama is plural of aleem, from the Arabic word “ilm” [knowledge] and have come to mean a knowledgeable person or scholar in Islam. Aleem can also refer to an Islamic theologian.
Pawa denied killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer or sponsor, as she pointed to an unnamed neighbor of the family.
Pawa was accused of killing her sponsor’s daughter on May 14, 2007.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Andaya said that based on Pawa’s testimony, he believes she is innocent.
Saddened by the incident, Andaya said, however, that “we have to respect the Kuwaiti court’s decision.”
Cali, a Shari’ah judge in Mindanao, said his appeal was addressed to Kuwait’s highest leader, Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to his former classmates at the University of Kuwait, and the family of Pawa’s victim.
Cali said “we support Jakatia Pawa’s plea for mercy on her life. She deserves to live.”
Daguit said there has always been a way out in Islamic Law [Shari’ah] for preserving the life of one who was sentenced to death.
This is the process in the Shari’ah Islamic Law that opens the door for possible mercy from the victim’s family. But it depends on the forgiveness from the victims, said the PhilHalal president. #
N.B. I pray that Jakatia Pawa's life be saved. There is still time!