16 OFWs were among the 154 inmates who were recently granted royal pardon by His Majesty King Hamad bin lsa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The move, through a royal decree, was hailed by President Duterte as an act of the King’s benevolence made in celebration of this year’s Eid Al-Fitr.
“This act of humanity by His Majesty King Hamad Bin lsa Al Khalifa provides renewed hope and an opportunity for our countrymen and women to build new lives,” the President said in his letter of gratitude to the King.
Those pardoned were convicted of drug peddling, murder, accessory to murder, attempted homicide, prostitution, embezzlement of funds, stealing, human trafficking, and involvement in fights.
They have partially served their sentences ranging from less than one-year imprisonment to the death penalty.
Eleven of them were already deported to the Philippines while deportation of four others is still being arranged.
The remaining OFW has been pardoned for the crime of drug peddling, but still faces a 7-year jail term for human trafficking.
The royal pardon made on May 20 was hailed as a testimony to the strong ties, shared values, and friendship between the governments of the Philippines and Bahrain. via DOLE
