Manila prepares 'blood money' policy for death-row convicts

MANILA (AP) - Officials in the Philippines are considering a standard policy on the payment of so-called 'blood money' to save convicted Filipinos from the death penalty abroad.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Monday that he's heading an interagency group that will soon make a recommendation to President Benigno Aquino III. Their recommendation will outline when and how much 'blood money' the government should pay to save citizens facing execution in Muslim countries.

Under Islamic law, victims' relatives can be compensated with 'blood money' or 'diyya' to stave off the execution of a convict.

The Philippines, one of the world's largest labour exporters, has saved Filipino convicts in the past by helping to raise huge amounts for victims' families.

Source: AP, September 12, 2011

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