About 51 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) convicted of various offense in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were pardoned after a series of negotiations with UAE officials.
This was revealed to reporters by Presidential Adviser for Overseas Filipino Worker and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah Mamao upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, Tuesday afternoon.
Mamao said 30 of the former inmates are already back home with their families while 21 are still processing their documents for repatriation. They have been convicted of various crimes such as adultery, illegal drugs and petty offenses.
"We are very thankful to the UAE government for this gift to all our OFW who were in jail," Secretary Mamao said, adding that he will report to this positive development to the President.
Mamao said the pardon is not in exchange for the release of two Emirati nationals who were convicted of rape in Baguio City and released by the government.