THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that Jakatia Pawa from Zamboanga del Norte was hanged at 10:19 a.m. in Kuwait or at 3:19 p.m. Manila time on Wednesday.
The Filipina was sentenced to death in April 2008 for allegedly killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer.
“We extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of Ms. Pawa,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told reporters.
He said the Philippine government was informed about Pawa’s execution only on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Malacañang on Wednesday expressed condolences to Pawa’s family.
“It is with sadness that we confirm the execution of Jakatia Pawa,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs is now closely coordinating with Ms. Pawa’s family and continues to facilitate assistance. We pray for her and her bereaved family.”
But a workers’ group slammed the government for its failure to save Pawa’s life.
“The previous administrations are guilty of criminal neglect and the current regime is liable for acting too late to stop her execution,” Mic Catuira, acting secretary general of Migrante International, said in a statement.
Foreign Affairs earlier said it tried to save the life of Pawa, who was sentenced to death for stabbing her employer’s daughter while she was asleep on May 14, 2007, but failed.
On June 15, 2009, Kuwait’s Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the trial court, and on Jan. 19, 2010, the Kuwaiti Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence. With John Paolo Bencito
