After 20 years in a Kuwaiti prison for the death of a Bangladesh national, Joseph Urbiztondo has finally tasted freedom as he reached Kuwait International Airport on his way to the Philippines.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, then reduced to 25 years, but after granted Amiri pardon, Urbiztondo is now free to go home.
“Masayang-masaya po, makikita ko na po ang Pilipinas,” Urbiztondo said in an ABS-CBN interview of the freedom as he controlled is emotions.
With the help of Filipinos who pooled resources to raise the blood money, notably the “Barya mo, Laya ko (Your coin for my freedom)” campaign, the blood money equivalent to KWD6,000 (P947,418) has been raised. Short of money when the son demanded US$26,000 (P1.24 million), anonymous donors helped Philippine Consul General to Kuwait Raul H Dado to raise the shortfall and settle the required amount. However, it was only on Sept 16 last year when the victim’s next of kin signed the tanazul or letter or forgiveness.
“I would like to thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his mercy and compassion. I would like to thank God for giving me another chance to live a new life. I would like to thank ABS-CBN-TFC for being the first one to air my case, the local media, Filipino leaders, Filipinos in Kuwait, various organisations, Evangelical Church, Catholic Church, Bishop Ballin, Fr Ben, the Philippine Embassy, Ambassador Renato Villa, Consul General Raul Dado, Consul General Pendosina Lomondot, Ambassador Roy Seneres, Roy Seneres Jr, Oliver Diong, Dr Chie Umandap and Dennis here at Talha and to those who have helped and I failed to mention, please forgive me, thank you so much,” conveyed Urbiztondo to the Arab Times on the phone.