Marcos thanks UAE leader for pardoning three convicted Filipinos

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for pardoning three convicted Filipinos, two of whom are on death row.

Marcos Jr. called Sheikh Mohammed to thank him for the development, the Office of Presidential Communications said in a statement Friday.

According to the PCO, Marcos sent two separate letters on April 27 last year asking Sheikh Mohamed to pardon the Filipino prisoners.

Two of them were sentenced to death for drug trafficking and the other for defamation.

Marcos also thanked Sheikh Mohammed for providing assistance to displaced families affected by Mayon volcano activity. The UAE has delivered 50 tons of food and medicine to the evacuees.

“I am grateful because you have done so much for us. This is the least we can do. Then came the FAQ about building a stronger relationship, and I also said my thoughts on the good treatment of Filipino nationals in the UAE, ’” Marcos said after the call.

According to reports, Sheikh Mohammed noted the invaluable contributions of some 600,000 Filipinos working in the UAE. He also re-invited President Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December.

The invitation was first conveyed to Marcos by UAE Ambassador Mohammed bin Salman during a courtesy visit to Malacañang last week.

Meanwhile, Marcos invited Sheikh Mohammed to come to the Philippines.