President Rodrigo Duterte departs for his official visit to the countries in the Middle East on Monday, April 10 from the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Gabriela Women’s Party on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to intervene on behalf of Jennifer Dalquez, a Filipina currently on death row in the United Arab Emirates.
“As President Duterte embarks on his Middle East trip today, we urge him to exhaust all measures to save OFW Jennifer Dalquez from the death row in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We hope that the President will have time to visit UAE and personally seek dialogue with authorities there, as UAE is not on his official itinerary,” Gabriela said in a statement.
Gabriela has already filed House Resolution 829, which seeks executive clemency for Dalquez.
“[Dalquez]’ plight echoes the situation of exploited and sexually harassed Filipinas abroad. We join the clamor of different groups in pushing the #SaveJenniferDalquez campaign, and are coordinating with Migrante International in an effort to amplify the call,” Gabriela said.
Dalquez was imprisoned for the murder of her employer in December 2015. She claimed self-defense when her employer tried to rape her.
Dalquez has been on the death row since May 20, 2015.
Duterte is set to meet his counterparts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Qatar in a week long state visit from April 10 to 16.
During his departure speech, Duterte promised to take home some OFWs previously on the death row but who were already granted pardon. (davaotoday.com)
