MANILA (UPDATED) - Joselito Zapanta, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia, was executed on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

"We offer our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones for their loss," DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a statement.

The 35-year-old OFW was convicted of murder with robbery on April 13, 2010 by the Riyadh Grand Court.

WATCH: OFW on Saudi death row seeks forgiveness

"He was sentenced to death after the family of the victim refused to execute an Affidavit of Forgiveness (Tanazul) in exchange for blood money," the DFA said.

Last December 17, 2015, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center appealed for more help in raising the blood money needed to save Zapanta.

Zapanta worked as a tile-setter in Saudi Arabia in 2007. He was arrested and sentenced to death in 2009 for the murder of his Sudanese landlord after a heated argument over rent.

Blood money was sought by the Sudanese family amounting to SR 5-million or equivalent to P50 million. The amount was later reduced to P48 million.

WATCH: Pinoy in Saudi death row ready to face fate

The OFW's family, with the help of the Philippine government, was able to raise only P23 million.

The DFA stressed that the Philippine government exhausted all diplomatic and legal efforts and extended consular and legal assistance to help Zapanta.

"The Philippine Government provided the late Mr. Zapanta all necessary assistance and ensured that his legal rights were observed throughout the whole judicial process," said the DFA.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay extended his sympathies to the Zapanta family.

"The Office of the Vice President worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and exhausted all diplomatic and legal efforts in order to save the life of Mr. Zapanta, including a personal written appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia," Binay said in a statement.

Binay, in 2012, wrote a personal letter to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud seeking deferment of Zapanta’s death sentence. The following year, President Benigno Aquino III also wrote a letter to the Saudi king.

Zapanta's mother and sister last visited him at the Malaz Central Prison on November 28 to December 2, 2015.

"We appeal to all our nationals overseas to follow the local laws of their host countries at all times and to avoid involvement in criminal activities," the DFA said.