United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has granted three Filipinos, who were convicted in different crimes, a humanitarian pardon.

In a press release on Saturday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the two Pinoys were supposed to face death sentences over drug trafficking charges while the other was sentenced with 15 years of imprisonment due to slander.

Garafil said it was Interior Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. who received the good news from UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi and told Marcos about it.

The PCO Secretary said the President then contacted Sheikh Mohamed through telephone to express his gratitude for granting the pardon request he made last April 27.

Marcos sent two separate letters to the UAE President asking the grant of clemency for the three Filipino prisoners, according to Garafil.

The PCO Secretary said the Chief Executive also thanked Sheikh Mohamed for donating 50 tons of food supplies and medicine assistance to residents in Albay who got displaced due to Mayon Volcano’s high level of unrest.

She added that Marcos invited Sheikh Mohamed to visit the Philippines.