‘The DFA is studying to have more retainer agreements in law offices in specific areas across the world to help our OFWs,’ said DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday, June 16. President Rodrigo Duterte had previously issued a directive to work double time in assisting Filipinos who are facing death sentences. There are currently 85 Filipinos on death row in other countries, 25 of whom are in Saudi Arabia. Last week, a Malaysian court sentenced nine Filipinos to death over the Sabah standoff that killed at least 70 people. In January, OFW Jakatia Pawa was executed by hanging in Kuwait for killing her employer’s daughter. The DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait only learned about her case the day before her impending execution on the 24^th  of January.

'Like to find out exactly how many OFAs convicted'

Rep Winnie Castelo has been widely reported as saying: ‘We would like to find out exactly how many OFWs have been convicted or undergoing trial, the nature of their cases, the penalty they are facing, what can be done to help them. The DFA is now reviewing all the death sentences and has instructed the Office of Public Diplomacy to go through the details of the case and prepare to file an appeal.