Ms. Jakatia Pawa, a Filipino domestic worker, was setenced on April 13, 2008 to capital punishment for murder of her employer's 22 year old daughter.

The Kuwait Court of Appeals has upheld the death verdict of the Kuwait Court of First Instance on Jakatia Pawa, the Filipino household service worker who was sentenced to death on April 13, 2008 for killing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter in 2007 in a brutal stabbing.

Pawa, 34, denies the claims charged against her and maintains that she is innocent and critics are calling out the lack of forensic evidence against her to prove the case.    Pawa suggests that perhaps one of her family members commited the crime.  The Philippines News Agency reports:

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya said he was dismayed with the court decision on Pawa, even as he noted that the court decision must be respected. He maintained that Pawa is innocent and that there is no solid evidence to convict the overseas foreign worker (OFW). Endaya said the knife which was used in the murder does not have Pawa’s fingerprints, and there was no blood stain on her dress or body that could link her to the crime.

Regarding the steps the Philippines Embassy and government is taking to help their compatriot, The Saudi Gazette stated:

Friday, GMANews.TV reported that Foreign Affairs undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs EstebanConejos Jr. said the Philippine government is working for the issuance of tanazul or forgiveness from the victim’s family to save Pawa from the death penalty.

“After achieving this, Vice President Noli De Castro will go to Kuwait to hand over a written letter from President (Gloria) Arroyo to the Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to ask for commutation of her sentence from death to life imprisonment,” Conejos was quoted as saying in a press briefing.

Conejos was said to expressed hopes that Pawa will be spared the death penalty, as with the case of Filipinamaidss Marilou Ranario and Mae Vecina.Vecina also in Kawait. – SG