Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirms that a Filipino foreign worker was executed in Kuwait today.
In a press conference, DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said, Jakatia Pawa was executed at 3:19 p.m., local time.
He said, “The Department and the Embassy made last-ditch efforts trying to save her. The Embassy made respresentations with the Office of the Emir, while at the same time with the Department called early this morning the chargé d’affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Manila.”
Jose added Malacañang was aware of Pawa’s case.
He clarified that all efforts were made to save Pawa’s life, using diplomatic, political, and even religious channels.
Pawa was accused of killing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter in May 2007.
Jose said they tried to negotiate with the family of Pawa’s supposed victim, hoping to convince them to accept blood money as compensation – in exchange for Pawa’s life.
But the victim’s family refused the proposal.
Jose said they were informed of Pawa’s execution only a day before.
Following Islamic rules, Jose said, Pawa will be buried in Kuwait.
Pawa was accused of killing her employer’s daughter in May 2007. She was found guilty and sentenced to death in 2008. An appeal was filed but an appeals court upheld the death sentence in 2009.
In one of the court hearings, Pawa maintained her innocence. Pawa said a relative may have killed the victim, after learning she had an affair with a neighbor.
Pawa’s brother: Jakatia was innocent
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Pawa’s brother – Lt. Col. Angaris Pawa – said he was able to speak with his sister by phone at around 5 a.m., Manila time.
Jakatia had called to say goodbye.
“Kuya, magpapaalam na po ako sa inyo [Brother, I want to say goodbye],” Lt. Col. Pawa recalled.
It was then that Jakatia told him she would be executed at 8 a.m., Kuwait time.
Lt. Col. Pawa said that around 12: 50 p.m., Manila time, Jakatia called again. This time, she said she was already inside the execution room.
It was the last time he spoke to her.
Lt. Col. Pawa said that his sister asked that they look after her two children.
“Ang last words niya ay, humingi siya ng paumanhin sa lahat ng kapatid niya, sa nanay ko – kung ano man daw ang pagkakamali niya – na siya ay magpapaalam na,” Lt. Col. Pawa said.
[Translation: Her last words were, she asked for forgiveness from all of her siblings, our mother – for whatever sins she may have committed – and that she was saying goodbye.]
Lt. Col. Pawa said Muslim laws dictate that a body must be buried within 24 hours – so his sister would be buried in Kuwait – with no chance for their family to see her remains.
He said they had hoped President Rodrigo Duterte would be able to save his sister’s life.
All that Jakatia’s family is asking for now, are government scholarships for her children – because they have lost both parents.
“My sister said she was innocent,” Lt. Col. Pawa said. “She has always said she was innocent.”
Lt. Col. Pawa pointed out, blood samples found on the murder victim did not match Jakatia’s.
