Kin appeal death sentences of 2 Pinoys in China

MANILA, Philippines - The relatives of two Filipinos sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking have sent their letters of appeal to Chinese authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai will assist the two Filipinos, a male and a female, in their appeal before a higher tribunal.

Hernandez said they were given legal assistance throughout their trial.

“Their next-of-kin have also written letters of appeal that will be sent to Chinese authorities,” Hernandez said.

In a report by The Philippine Star, the two Filipinos were convicted by a court in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang. The court decision was handed down last March 16.

The DFA confirmed that the two Filipinos were sentenced to death by the Hangzhou People’s Intermediate Court.

The defendants were caught at the Hangzou International Airport last Jan. 25, 2011 with about 12 kilograms of heroin. They entered China from Dubai via Hong Kong.

The male defendant was given a two-year reprieve while the female was not.

Hernnadez said both cases are subject to appeal at the High Court.

Under the Chinese criminal code, the introduction into China of 50 grams of heroin or any narcotic drug is punishable by death.

More Pinoy drug cases

Last month, two Filipinos were arrested by the Judiciary Police in Macau SAR for alleged drug trafficking.

The DFA said the two Filipinos, a man and a woman, were apprehended February 1 in an apartment with 46 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known in the Philippines as shabu. The drugs have an estimated street value of 90,000 patacas (US$11,392.405). Several drug paraphernalia were also found in the apartment.

A suspected buyer, also a Filipino, was also brought in for questioning.

The DFA reiterated its appeal to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggages or in their person when going abroad in exchange for money, as harsh penalties await them in their destinations.

The Philippine government has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries on efforts against anti-drugs trafficking. It is undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the issue and to prevent Filipinos from being victimized by international drug syndicates.

A 35-year-old Filipino sentenced to death for drug trafficking was executed on December 8, 2011 in China through lethal injection despite appeals from President Benigno S. Aquino III for a commutation of sentence to life imprisonment.

The executed Filipino was convicted for the case of smuggling of 1.495 kilos of heroin to Guangxi that was upheld by Supreme People’s Court (SPC) in Beijing China's high court.

He was arrested in September 2008 upon his arrival at the Guilin International Airport from Malaysia for smuggling 1.495 kilos of heroin.

China reminded the Philippines that it is a country under the rule of law and the Chinese judicial authority has passed a sentence on relevant Philippine drug trafficker in accordance with law.

On Mar. 30, 2011, China carried out the death sentences on three Filipinos -- Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain -- convicted of drug trafficking. The three Filipinos were executed by lethal injection.

The Philippine government also appealed for the three Filipinos, but Beijing pushed through with their executions.