Saving a condemned man (John Aquino)

When OFW  John Aquino pleaded not guilty before the Emirates court of  killing an Indian national on the ground of self-defense , the Arabian justices did not believe him. They pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to death.

The heirs of the victim – who had insisted on a constantly-rising “blood money” (from $41,000 to $50,000, to $200,000)- seemed to be not really interested in the blood money but were obviously more desirous of seeing John shot dead. They were said to be well off and, in fact, migrated to the United Kingdom where they had become British subjects. Definitely, the amount of money for the settlement of the case is too much for a mere OFW like John. He can never afford to raise that amount by himself alone.

Upon handling Aquino’s case, Ambassador Señeres thoroughly studied it. Sometimes to the extent of violating protocol, he kept on contracting the chief justice, the sheikhs, the Indian ambassador. His efforts seemed to have been exercises in futility as such officials stood their ground. There was to be no forgiveness, no pardon. From all indications, John Aquino was doomed to be executed by firing squad at Ajman , UAE.

Back at home, some officials of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs were already quitting from the case and were about to take steps to “prepare the minds of the Filipino people that we can no longer save John Aquino.”

Unfazed by the situation, Señeres persisted in his determination to save John’s life. His efforts finally yielded the desired results when he pointed out to British Ambassador Anthony Harris that since the victim’s heirs were already British subjects and the United Kingdom has no death penalty, ergo – it should by no-death penalty policy.

Eventually, the court reserved its earlier decision and set John free. After a little more time, John finally came home.

DFA officials were set to go the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to meet Aquino and get media mileage out of it. Señeres was not given any invitation for the event. Fortunately, his friend, then OWWA administrator Eli Gardiner phoned him to ask if he was going to the NAIA and shake hands with John. Señeres told Gardiner about his reluctance because he had no invitation from the DFA and that it was alright for him not to be there. But the OWWA chief told him that he would be his companion to the airport and there would be no need for the invitation.

Guess who looked liked ghosts when Señeres showed up at NAIA ?