Some Riyadh OFWs Favor Saudi’s Iron Fist Stand vs Terrorism
JP Aleta, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau
Posted at 01/12/16 7:39 PM
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia recently carried out the death sentence against 47 convicted terrorists, an exercise of the kingdom’s firm and strong campaign against terrorism.
The simultaneous executions were carried out inside prisons across the kingdom through firing squad or by the sword.
Some Filipinos working in in Riyadh seem to favor the kingdom’s action.
“Pabor po ako doon kasi para sa akin, bilang isang OFW, seguridad ang kailangan natin dito,” said Arnold Buison.
Another OFW, Jack Martelino said, “Para sa akin, tama lang ‘yun para iwas din yung mga tao gumawa ng mga against sa law nila.”
Jermaine Quiambao added, “Dahil hindi lang po mga Saudi ang makikinabang kundi pati mga expat, mga OFW pati po ibang lahi na nagtatrabaho dito sa Saudi Arabia.”
In 2008, a “special court” handling terrorist-related cases was established. Since then, out of 2,000 cases involving more than 6,000 suspects, 55 death sentences were handed down by the court.
“Sa tingin ko po, sila naman ay nabigyan ng due process of law, so naniniwala po ako na kung sila’y nagkasala dapat po talaga silang managot sa kanilang mga kasalanan,” said Lito Toreja.
Out of 47 executed terrorist, 45 were Saudi nationals and the remaining two were from Chad and Egypt. They were convicted of plotting and carrying out terrorist attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Saudi Arabia. Prominent Shia cleric Nimr al Nimr and leading Al-Qaeda figure Faris al-Ashuwail were among those executed.
“They are making problem in this country and this is the law here,” said Saudi Arabian national Fahad Al-Haran.
The simultaneous execution of 47 people in Saudi Arabia is said to be the biggest mass execution for such offense since the 1980 killing of 63 militants who seized Makkah’s grand mosque in 1979.
“Kapag terorista ang pinag-uusapan, dapat talagang gumamit ng kamay na bakal para sa ating kapayapaan,” said OFW Jose Castillo.