Two of the detained overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Manama is already back home in the Philippines after being granted a royal pardon by the Bahraini government, Malacañang announced on Friday.
The Palace released a press statement, extending President Rodrigo Duterte’s “deepest gratitude and appreciation” to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain for granting a royal pardon to two OFWs Roderick Aguinaldo and Edward Benjamin Garcia.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomes the release and return to the Philippines of two Overseas Filipino Workers granted Royal Pardon in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Malacañang said.
“Both Mr. Aguinaldo and Mr. Garcia are now back in the Philippines and will be able to start a new life with their respective families.”
Both Aguinaldo and Garcia were serving sentences in Bahrain for the death of a foreigner,.
The Palace said Duterte also acknowledged efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs; the Philippine embassy in Manama, Bahrain; Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council Amable Aguiluz V; and the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs for their committed efforts that led to the eventual release and repatriation of Aguinaldo and Garcia.
In 2019, Duterte wrote a letter to Al Khalife seeking pardon for imprisoned Filipinos in Bahrain. The king assured Duterte that the appeal would be recognized.
On May 31, Duterte thanked the king for granting royal pardon to 16 Filipinos in Bahrain, including Aguinaldo and Garcia who were pardoned on the occasion of Eid’l Fitr.
