Nine detained Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, who were charged for committing petty crimes, were ordered released from jail after being granted a royal pardon, the Philippine foreign affairs department said Friday, Xinhua reported.
The Filipinos were given reprieve through the royal decree issued on the occasion of the return of the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz from medical treatment overseas. King Abdullah issued royal pardons on Dec. 11, 2009.
"These nine Filipinos are undergoing the necessary government procedures before they are allowed to leave the country. The Embassy is working on arranging the tickets for their journey back home, including with their original employers, if any," the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo thanked the Saudi government for the release of the Filipinos.
He noted that the Philippine government regularly requests for the inclusion of Filipinos in any pardon, especially before Ramadan, and when it knows that they have served at least half their sentences and have made restitutions under the private rights aspect of their cases.
The embassy has also submitted to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs all the names of Filipino prisoners who could possibly qualify for clemency.
There is an estimated 400 to 500 detainees within the Embassy's jurisdiction. This figure does not include those being monitored by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
Royal pardon applies to both Saudi nationals and foreigners who are considered not to pose a threat to public order.
The pardon covers those who are detained or jailed for petty crimes and violations and who have made restitutions to their victims. This includes those whose charges are still being heard by the courts.