Loida Nicolas Lewis leads support for OFW in Saudi

Urges global donations for “blood money” to save and free Dondon Lanuza Fundraising website www.helpdondon.com built to raise 35M Pesos by February 2012

December 6, 2011 (New York, NY) – Filipino American philanthropist and political activist Loida Nicolas Lewis is calling on Filipinos all over the world to empathize with the plight of an OFW, and his mother, who need the support of every Filipino to stop his execution by beheading.
Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, 37, was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the accidental death of a Saudi National occurred in 2000. Now, Dondon has been in prison for over 11 years under a death sentence by beheading.

In February 2011, he was pardoned by the relatives of the victim in exchange for blood money amount of 3 Million Riyal or 35 Million Philippine Pesos (US$800,000). Letty Lanuza, his mother, then launched a campaign that has only raised about $13,000 (2% of the goal) in the last 9 months. When Mrs. Nicolas Lewis was approached with the case, her heart felt for Mrs. Lanuza and she decided to help raise the money needed to save a life.
“After his case was brought to my attention and I met his mother in Manila, I knew that I have to help him. Dondon Lanuza does not deserve a death sentence (by beheading). He is an OFW in jail in Saudi Arabia unjustly,” said Lewis. “We Filipinos have to help him because he is our son, our brother, our cousin.”
Below is part of Mrs. Lanuza’s direct appeal to the kindness of each of our hearts.
“December 5, 2011 My name is Letty Lanuza, the mother of Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, who is in prison in Saudi Arabia under a sentence of death by beheading (Lord, spare him!) since 2000. Please believe me when I say that the death of a Saudi caused by my son was accidental. Since 2000, my tears have flowed and my heart has been broken but my prayers to God are unceasing. God has answered my prayers when in February of this year, due to the work of the Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh and other Members of the Reconciliation Committee, the aggrieved family agreed to forgive my son Dondon. However, as is the custom in Saudi Arabia, in exchange for Ðondon’s life and freedom, they demand “blood money of 35 million pesos.” We do not have the luxury of time. By February 2012, it would be one year since they forgave and required the blood money equivalent. If by that time, we have very little to show to them, it may mean the withdrawal of their forgiveness and hasten the death of Dondon. (Lord, spare him!)
Not just with intention, but with decisive action, Nicolas Lewis embarked on a campaign and asked her friends and contacts to support Dondon. She and several Filipino philanthropists are matching dollar-for-dollar donations that the public will give.
Lewis is urging the Filipinos Overseas and Filipinos in the Philippines to help raise the “blood money” as a Christmas gift to his mother Letty for her son’s life. The one-year anniversary of the family’s forgiveness and condition to receive the “blood money” is February next year.
Please give as generously and act now.
Ways to give a gift for Dondon:
I. By PayPal at www.helpDondon.com
II. By Check:
Please make your donation to:
Payee: Loida N. Lewis FBO Dondon Lanuza
Mail to:
Loida N. Lewis FBO Dondon Lanuza
P.O .BOX 1080
New York, NY 10028
III. Money Remittance/Wire Transfer donation to Dondon’s mother, Mrs. Letty Lanuza’s bank account (in the Philippines), or through Loida Lewis FBO (for the benefit of) Dondon Lanuza.
Note: Donations sent through any of Metrobank’s overseas branches and international offices are free of charge. For those who wish to send their donations through any of Metrobank’s remittance correspondents worldwide, the bank has agreed to waive all Metrobank related charges.

A. In the Philippines
Account Name: Letty Lanuza
Metrobank Branch: Malolos Mc Arthur Hi-Way Branch
Savings Account No. 575-3-57501112-9
Swift Code:MBTCPHMM
B. Outside the Philippines
Account Name: Loida N. Lewis FBO Dondon Lanuza
Metrobank Branch: New York
Metrobank Account No.: 16048420
Swift Code: MBTCUS33
ABA Routing #: 026002846
In this season of giving, we echo Dondon’s plea: “Parang-awa na ho” and hope it is heard and heeded by his fellow OFWs, his fellow Filipinos, around the world.
For more information, please visit www.helpdondon.com or you can also contact Loida Nicolas Lewis at lewisloida@gmail.com / (212) 756-8901 or Letty Celestino Lanuza at lettycelestino@gmail.com/ (702) 220-7206 .