The overseas Filipina worker (OFW) who was saved from death penalty in the UAE has arrived in the Philippines on Friday, November 2.
On board Philippine Airlines flight PR-657 from Abu Dhabi, OFW Jennifer Dalquez was welcomed by her mother, Alicia, and father, Abdul Hamid, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
Several government officials were also present to welcome the Filipina.
Upon arrival, Dalquez expressed her gratitude to her family, to President Rodrigo Duterte, and other government agencies who helped in her acquittal and return.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pangulo… sa Panginoon na binigyan niya ko ng pagkakataon na makalaya. Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa Pangulo natin, si Rodrigo Duterte na tinulungan niya po ako na makalabas sa bilangguan,” Dalquez said.
“Mga kapatid ko diyan, nanay, tatay, lolo… salamat po sa mga dasal niyo sa akin. Ipinagdasal niyo ko na makalabas sa bilangguan. Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat,” she added.
Dalquez will receive financial assistance from various government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. She is scheduled to return to her hometown in General Santos City.
In 2014, Dalquez stabbed her employer to defend herself from his attempt to rape her. She was immediately sentenced to death the following year.
Through the appeal of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Court acquitted Dalquez from the murder case in 2017.
Despite this, the 31-year-old OFW was sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly stealing a cellphone. She was eventually granted pardon, which shortened her jail sentence.
She was released on November 1 after completing her jail term.
NOTE: The photo featured in the article was taken by Joyce Rocamora from the Philippine News Agency.
