Saudi Arabia 'spares Philippines death-row convict'

MANILA (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has spared one of two Filipino men sentenced to death by beheading for separate killings, Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Friday.

Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza is expected to walk free after more than 12 years in prison following the Saudi government's decision to pay 2.3 million rials (S$754,952) in indemnity to the victim's kin, Binay announced on television.

Binay, who said he had personally lobbied for Lanuza's freedom, added the balance of the US$860,000 settlement sought by the victim's kin was raised by the convict's family.

"It's already definite that he will be spared from the death penalty," Binay said on the ABS-CBN network.