DFA submits to Palace draft order protecting OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has submitted to Malacañang a draft administrative order creating a task force that would prevent Filipinos from being used as drug couriers and victimized by international syndicates.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said yesterday the inter-agency task force would stop overseas Filipino workers from being used as drug mules in China.

“We await the signature of the President. It is a strong signal of the Philippine government to fight drug trafficking and the Philippines cooperates with China and the international community against drug smuggling,” Conejos said.

The Office of the Executive Secretary convened last month an inter-agency meeting to address the problem of Filipinos being used as drug couriers to smuggle dangerous and prohibited drugs into China.

Officials from the DFA, Philippine Drugs Enforcement Authority, Dangerous Drugs Board and other agencies discussed how they could address the alarming cases of Filipinos being lured to work as drug couriers to China.

“The task force will strengthen the Philippine government’s fight against drug trafficking and protect our citizens from being victimized as drug couriers. It will also demonstrate the government’s resolve in working with China and the international community in addressing the drug menace,” Conejos said.

“But ultimately, our people must take full responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against inducements,” he added.

Ten Filipinos were recently sentenced to death without reprieve for drug smuggling in China pending final review, while 63 were sentenced to death with two-year reprieve.

The DFA urged Filipinos facing the death penalty in China to strive for reprieve through good behavior.

“There is still hope for our kababayans who are facing the death penalty in China. We urge them to work on the possible reduction of their sentence from death penalty to life imprisonment by showing good behavior,” he said.

Under Chinese law, in death sentences with two-year reprieve, there is a possibility of commutation to a lower penalty — life imprisonment or not less than 15-year imprisonment — upon showing of good behavior by the prisoner within the period.

If a detainee does not show good behavior while in jail, the execution of death penalty is imposed after the two-year period upon ruling or an approval from the People’s Supreme Court in Beijing.

China strictly imposes tough penalties against persons caught in possession of prohibited drugs. Smuggling of drugs as low as 50 grams can carry a 15-year imprisonment, life sentence or even the death penalty.

Conejos said the DFA continues to help 10 Filipinos currently on death row in China without reprieve.

In death sentences without reprieve, decisions of lower courts are automatically elevated to the higher courts for review. The People’s Supreme Court is the court of last resort before the judgment becomes final and executory.       — Pia Lee Brago