Press Release No. 141-03
3 April 2003
FILIPINO
SUSPECTS IN CANADIAN SLAY ACQUITTED BY KUWAITI SUPREME COURT; FILIPINA CHARGED
IN EGYPT REPATRIATED
After concerted efforts by Philippine diplomatic and consular officials,
Filipinos charged with criminal cases in Kuwaiti and Egyptian courts have
been acquitted, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople announced today.
“Although much of our focus over the past few months has been on ensuring
the safety and welfare of our Filipinos in the Middle East in relation to
the war against Iraq, the Philippine foreign service continues to look after
the needs of individual Filipinos who are facing criminal charges,” the Secretary
said.
Filipino Mary Jane Bitos and four other Filipinos, who were accused of murdering
Canadian Luc Ethier in Kuwait, were finally acquitted by the Kuwaiti Court
of Cassation, or Supreme Court, after a year and five months of marathon
hearings that began at the country's lower courts. Bitos and company
were initially acquitted by the Kuwaiti Court of Appeals, but the government
prosecutors elevated their case to the Supreme Court.
According to Ambassador-designate Bayani V. Mangibin of the Philippine Embassy
in Kuwait, the acquitted Filipinos received the Supreme Court's decision
with elation and expressed their deepest thanks and appreciation for all
the assistance and concern that the Philippine Government has accorded them.
"The decision is a welcome development," said Mangibin. "It shows that justice
prevails, no matter how long and hard the path is to finding the truth."
The Department of Foreign Affairs is now working for the immediate repatriation
of Bitos and her co-acquitted. They have expressed their strong desire to
return home, as their being in detention has caused them to lose their jobs
in Kuwait. The four other acquitted Filipinos are: Teody M. Tomaro, Jaime
Vinuya, Rosalia Baclig and Noraisa T. Esick.
In related developments, the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt successfully
negotiated with Egyptian authorities for the immediate release and repatriation
of, a Filipina Overseas Worker who was charged with conniving with a fellow
worker who stole one million Egyptian pounds from their employer.
The Filipina, who was held in detention at the women's quarters of Kanater
Prison was later acquitted by the Egyptian courts last 17 March 2003. Upon
further representations made by the Embassy, her employer agreed to shoulder
her return ticket. She was repatriated last 28 March 2003. (Note: the DFA
reveals names of those involved in cases only with their permission.)
END