Dubai: A man jailed for accidentally killing his wife in a car mishap has made a tearful apology to his three children in the Philippines who still refuse to talk to him.
In the first media interview since regaining his freedom, Joseph Abutan, 37, said on Wednesday: "I just want to tell my children that I seek their forgiveness and that I'm not a criminal."
Dubai Police Chief Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim ordered his department on May 10 to pay diya, or blood money, as a humanitarian gesture to free Abutan.
The family of Abutan and his three children - Allysa, 15; Andrew, 14; and Al Joseph, 12 - will be the beneficiaries of the amount, as per Sharia Law.
"I have already suffered enough for what happened. I appreciate the humanitarian gesture and thank [Lt] General Dahi Khalfan Tamim for giving me another chance to put my life back in order," he said.
Abutan and his wife Imelda met with an accident on June 5, 2009, at around 6.30am near Dubai's Century Mall. Traces of alcohol were found in his blood.
While he sustained only minor injuries, his wife suffered a severe cervical neck injury and died after 23 days in hospital.
A judge ordered Abutan to pay a Dh10,000 fine and Dh200,000 diya. But his inability to pay meant he had to stay in jail indefinitely.
From his jail cell following the accident, Abutan said he promised his wife who was battling for her life in hospital, that he would take care of their children no matter what happens.
It's been three years since he last saw their children - all high school students and living with Imelda's parents in Balagtas town in Batangas province.
Abutan said he can't blame them if they were angry.
"I've been told that my children are not happy I am out of jail, that two years are not enough," a tearful Abutan told XPRESS in the Tagalog language.
"That's hurtful. I hope they can find a place in their hearts to forgive me. I did not want the accident to happen. And I do miss my wife."
Abutan, who embraced Islam while in jail and is now known as Abdullah, blames himself completely for what he termed the "biggest challenge" in his life.
"After spending time in jail, you would not want to hurt another human being," said Abutan, who is currently looking for a job either as a driver or AC technician in Dubai.
"I want to earn enough so I could go home someday and talk to my three children face to face."
And while he is happy to be free, Abutan said the only thing that would complete his happiness is being able to talk and embrace his three children.
His message to all drivers: "Life is so precious that we can't simply waste it in a few moments of carelessness."
