I Love Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - In a rare opportunity, three Filipinos facing death row in Kuwait were interviewed by GMA Network’s Pinoy TV during a recent visit to the oil-rich country with Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Andaya.

May Vecina, Jakatia Pawa and Bienvenido Espino Jr have been charged for murder by Kuwait’s court.

“I hope my kids will be given the chance to a good education and a better life,” Vecina was quoted as saying in Filipino.

Vecina face death by hanging unless the country’s emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, commutes their sentences or the families of the victims forgive them.

The Kuwaiti Supreme Court had upheld Vecina’s death penalty for killing her employer’s youngest son in January 2007.

But hopes that Vecina would be given a commutation remains alive after several unconfirmed reports said that the Kuwaiti Emir was inclined to lessen the penalty on the Filipina OFW.

“We need your prayers to keep us strong and fight sadness, fear and longingness for our family,” she added.

Meanwhile, Pawa maintains that she is innocent of the charges against her.

Pawa, who hails from Zamboanga del Norte, was accused of stabbing to death her employer’s 21-year-old daughter.

News reports from Kuwait said the victim was asleep at dawn of May 14, 2007 in the Al Qurain district, south of Kuwait City, when she was killed.

Pawa was reported to be seriously injured when she jumped from the second floor of her employer’s house after the attack. She was admitted at the intensive care unit of a hospital for several days.

“God knows I didn’t do anything,” she said in Filipino.

Pawa, however, refused to talk further in fear that it might jeopardize the embassy’s moves to appeal for her case.

While defense lawyers demanded that she be examined by psychiatrists to determine her mental health, the court turned down the request.

Espino meanwhile was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Jhias Gumapac, a Filipino worker in Kuwait.

Reports said Espino stabbed Gumapac over a spat on October 20, 2007.

“I hope Jhian’s family will forgive me,” Espino pleaded, “God knows I did not want the situation to happen. I hope her family forgives me.” - GMANews.TV