OFW Lanuza set to walk free

Rodelio Celestino “Dondon” Lanuza, 37, a Filipino worker who was in a Dammam jail for 13 years for killing a Saudi national in self-defense, will be released within two weeks, the Philippine Embassy said.
“An agreement has been reached with the slain Saudi’s family to release Lanuza,” Sabq.org electronic newspaper reported, quoting an embassy source.
Saudi security agencies are completing legal procedures for his deportation, it said. Lanuza, who has been languishing in jail since 2000 for slaying Mohamad Al-Qahtani, was one step closer to freedom after his victim’s kin signed a court decision needed for his release.
Lanuza came to Saudi Arabia in 1996 to work as an artist and designer.
The Philippine government has thanked Saudi Arabia for agreeing to release him.
Filipino workers in the Kingdom had paid SR2.3 million to help Lanuza pay a blood money of SR3 million.
The Saudi government has paid the balance amount.