An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) saved from the death row in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now homeward-bound.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday announced Jennifer Dalquez’s release from prison in the desert country and will soon rejoin her family here after she was set free on Thursday.

“The DFA welcomes the release from prison later today (Thursday) of an overseas Filipina worker in the UAE that the Philippine government was able to save from death row,” the DFA said in a statement.

Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Hjayceelyn Quintana informed DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. that UAE authorities are coordinating with the Philippine Embassy for Dalquez’s flight home Thursday evening.

She is expected to arrive in Manila today.

Dalquez, a household worker from General Santos City, was meted the death sentence for murdering her employer in 2014.

During trial, Dalquez stressed she accidentally killed her employer in self-defense. She claimed her employer attempted to rape her at knifepoint on 7 December 2014.

Dalquez was sentenced to death in May 2015 but was acquitted by an appellate court in June 2017.