Beijing affirms death for 3 Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) in Beijing has sustained the lower courts’ decisions on three Filipinos for drug trafficking and the death sentences will be carried out, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The DFA received information on Feb. 11 that the SPC had reviewed and rendered its decision on five cases of Filipinos sentenced to death by courts in the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong for drug trafficking.

Two of the five Filipinos earlier meted the death penalty without reprieves were given two-year reprieves.

“However, for three of the cases, after a thorough and serious review process, the SPC sustained the lower courts’ decisions, and the death sentences will be carried out in accordance to Chinese law,” the DFA said in a statement.

The death penalty will be carried out on three Filipino nationals: a male, 42 years old, who was convicted for smuggling 4,113 grams of heroin on Dec. 28, 2008, in Xiamen; a female, 32 years old, who was convicted for smuggling 4,110 grams of heroin on Dec. 24, 2008, in Xiamen; and a female, 38 years old, who was convicted for smuggling 6,800 grams of heroin on May 24, 2008, in Shenzhen.

“As the public is aware, the Philippine government has made sustained and exhaustive representations with the Chinese government at all levels to seek mitigated sentences for all Filipinos on death penalty,” the statement read.

The DFA said the Philippine government provided the three Filipinos all necessary and possible assistance and has ensured that their legal rights were observed and their welfare protected from the time of their arrest and throughout the judicial process.

The families of the three have been informed of the SPC decision.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs conveys its grave disappointment and sadness at this turn of events,” the DFA said. “There is no imposition of capital punishment under Philippine law. Representations are ongoing for possible commutation of the three death sentences.”

The DFA has been working closely with other concerned agencies and constantly updating the Office of the President on these drug trafficking cases.

Earlier, 72 cases were granted two-year reprieves. The original verdict, under Chinese law, may be commuted to life imprisonment if the prisoner displays good behavior while incarcerated.

Under Chinese law, smuggling of 50 grams or more of heroin or equivalent drugs is punishable with the death penalty.

The Philippines has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries on efforts against drug trafficking.

The government appealed to all Filipinos not to be victimized by international drug syndicates.

Filipinos were warned not to agree to carry any luggage for strangers at the airport; avoid falling for other modus operandi employed by drug trafficking syndicates, like agreeing to carry packages in exchange for money or falling for individuals they meet online and then agreeing to carry items for them.

“Our people must take full responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against inducements,” the DFA said.