Do you feel that the government is responsible for the fate of the three Filipino drug mules sentenced to die in China?

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Since they are Filipinos, the government has the responsibility to represent them. But as to their fate, they put themselves in that situation.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Everyone is a responsibility of his mother country, wherever he may be, in whatever condition.

Captains of our own fate

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Everyone has limitations and that includes our government. We make our own life choices. The fate of the three Filipinos sentenced to die in China is simply what we call their own destiny. May God forgive them.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: It was never my feeling to make the government responsible for the fate of the three. They themselves are responsible for their fate.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Point one finger to the government and four fingers point back to us. We are responsible for our choices. Let us face up to these responsibilities.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Indirectly, yes. The government from the time of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos until the lamentable Arroyo regime has made the country’s business environs unattractive, forcing many establishments to either close shop or transfer to other locations. Many displaced workers have to seek foreign employment for better pay and opportunities, thus the great Filipino diaspora commenced and will continue for decades to come. However, the three Filipino drug mules seemed to willingly embark on such a dangerous journey, enticed by the prospect of amassing more money. It is hard to believe that they unknowingly took the risk, as they are not illiterate individuals, thus, the government must not be blamed for their wrong choice.

Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: What an idiotic imputation of guilt by persons who, of their own free will, had the intention to do wrong and violate the laws of man and God. Their eyes were wide open and they knew the consequences of their actions. My father (not fully educated) had this very simple anecdote which keeps on ringing in my mind and will be carried forever: You might be my son in flesh and blood, but your mind is not. We, 98 million Filipinos, are not each other’s keeper.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: No, they are themselves responsible for their fate. Why did they agree to be drug mules? They knew all along that drug trafficking is a serious crime.

Alex Campaniel, General Santos City: I believe that the three Filipinos are guilty and they should face the consequence. They should have discerned before doing their actions.

Command responsibility

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Our government reaps fame and fortune from the achievements of our compatriots like Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Charice Pempengco, Ana Julaton, Nonito Donaire, etc. In the same manner, the shame and burden caused by Rep. Ronald Singson, now convicted for drug possession in Hong Kong, and the three drug mules sentenced to die in China are the responsibility of the Philippine government.

Helpless victims

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: It is imperative that OWWA, POEA and DFA act on this matter. Kawawa naman ang tatlong OFWs na biktima lamang ng mapagsamantalang drug traffickers.

Easy money

Pitts Hizon, Pampanga: I don’t see poverty as the culprit, and neither is the government responsible for the fate of the three Filipino drug mules executed in China. There are a thousand ways to earn a decent living, but they opted for a lucrative trade to earn easy money, hence they should be ready to face the consequences of their acts.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: No, the three condemned Pinoys are adults and were fully aware of the hazards of their chosen path. Obsession for easy money feeds human frailty.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: No, it’s their sole responsibility. Enticed by a false sense of security, they tread the wrong path in their quest to achieve a better life.

Larry Erfe, Cavite: I cannot blame the government. People today are always thinking of material things.

Lax airport security

Felix Ramento, USA: Of course! Concerned government agents detailed at the airport were not being ineffective, they were more interested in their entitlements to their illicit job of letting the three Filipino drug mules sneak out illegal drugs in connivance with drug dealers. Those people at the NAIA had practically sentenced the three to death.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: In a way, yes. Those members of the West African Drug Syndicate are operating at will in our country. How could they just slip thousands of kilos of cocaine in and out of the country without the connivance of some big shots in the airport? A massive and serious investigation is in order. But I do not believe that those drug mules were completely innocent of what they got themselves into.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: In a way, yes. In the first place, why were they able to slip out of the country with drugs on them? They should have been caught dito pa lang. Very lax kasi eh. However, these Filipinos on death row are liable for what they have done. They knew that this was an unpardonable crime in their country of destination, so why do it? Every traveler is aware of this. Bakit sila nagpadala? I had an experience of my luggage being mistakenly taken by another passenger. This could not have happened if the airport police had checked the baggage claim after passing through the customs. Eh hindi, mga duling yata mga yun eh.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Partly, the government is to blame. It has not been keeping watch on those going in or out of the country, or are they simply turning a blind eye with their hands greased? If one senator-fugitive can sneak out just like that, how much more concealed items like drugs?

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, because we have a sloppy system of detecting illegal drugs being carried out of the airport by drug mules and even by a congressman.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Definitely, because the drugs passed undetected through custom agents at the NAIA, when they should have been arrested right here and need not have reached and been caught in China. Remember that former Rep. Ronald Singson, on his way to Hong Kong, was also able to slip through NAIA with illegal drugs in his possession. The government should investigate and hold responsible negligent or corrupt authorities at NAIA to avoid a repeat.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Smugglers and contraband that pass through our custom agents, but are caught and seized in foreign countries, are definitely the responsibility of our government through the principle of command responsibility.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Again, it boils down to our government having so many laws and policies that cannot be strictly implemented, due to palakasan and lagayan, and the so-called politician-untouchables who do not pass the scrutiny of custom officials prior to boarding planes. This kind of system must stop and the customs personnel and officials who let go these three Filipinos to China must also be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. These customs personnel/officials were either paid, not doing their job well, or simply negligent.

Symptom of a deeper malaise

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: This illicit activity of drug mules is another symptom of how dirty our government system has become! I am sure that if our watchdogs at the exit points of drug mules or carriers or any contraband were doing their jobs efficiently and honestly, these illegal practices would not have happened. The clear connivance at the exit points between our government people and the drug lords, dealers or smugglers is evident here, because in the case of these three drug mules, they were caught by the watchdogs at the entry point in China, and not by our own in exit point/s here. We can’t accept negligence as a reason. Graft and corruption is responsible. This is one area of corruption that P-Noy should train his anti-corruption guns on. These unscrupulous people have long been emboldened to do their nefarious activities because it is easy to use drug money to ensure that their trade goes unperturbed.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: In a way, the government is responsible for not addressing seriously the problem of poverty in our country.

Louie Vallo, Pangasinan: Partly, yes but the load of the blame should be on the three. I believe that they knew what they were getting themselves into, yet they did what they did. I don’t believe that they had no knowledge that they were being used as drug couriers, but I would believe them if they said that they were forced to do it because of lack of opportunities in our country.

Dr. Francis Regalado, Manila: Yes, of course, the government is responsible, and that doesn’t count its failure to ask for clemency from China. I believe if people in the government would just do their jobs and not be preoccupied with corruption, people need not resort to criminal acts to have money and opportunity, as the three victims did. I blame them 100 per cent for not catching the illegal recruiters/masterminds. If only we had tougher implementing bodies and rigid laws. Sino na naman kaya ang nalagyan o tumunganga para makapag-operate ang business na yan? As long as there are corrupt officials in this country, and they are not the ones being hanged, we’re going nowhere but down.

Wake-up call

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It’s too late for finger-pointing and the blame game. Let’s just respect the decision of the Chinese authorities regarding the death sentence of the three Filipino drug mules. It’s actually a wake-up call, not only for our government, but for OFWs getting involved in drug trafficking.

Crack down on the drug trade

Elpidio Que, Vigan: In a way, the government should be faulted for the death sentence meted out on the Filipino drug mules caught in China. In the first place, how did they get out of our country carrying those drugs to China? If we were not so corrupt, the immigration people at the airport would have found the drugs on their persons. These poor “mules” have no one to blame but themselves. As Chinese sage Kuo Tzi Tzang said, “It is our fate that we make.” What should our government do? It should ensure that druglords, dealers, and pushers are made to rock and roast in electric chairs or to rot in prison, not like what happened to some Chinese nationals caught dealing shabu in our province some years ago who were sent to the provincial jail, but were rumored to have paid their way out.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: As I see it, our government should not be held responsible. These three knew exactly that their activities were against the law. Now that they are caught and sentenced, why should our government be held liable? We are not our brother’s keeper. However, for our government, drug ring syndicates are operating in our own soils. Are they protected or well-financed by foreigners?

Filipino diaspora

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Indirectly, the government is responsible for not providing enough opportunities to these OFWs. They become fair game as drug mules to international drug syndicates. For how long will the Filipino diaspora last?

Jose Nobela, Albay: For not providing our people the maximum employment, thereby putting their faith in going abroad, the government is indeed responsible. The country’s unstable employment status prompted them to seek greener pastures, even to the point of risking their lives.

The law is applied to all

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I don’t understand why the government is dragged into this. If the three had been found guilty by fair, due process, then they deserve the punishment, no matter who they are.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: In no way is the government responsible for the fate of the three Filipino drug mules if they were convicted beyond reasonable doubt.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Government inefficiency is a given. If you want to be a drug mule and risk it all, you’re as good as a dead mule.

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: No, in China, the law is clear on drugs. Drug “mule-ing” is risky business, and if caught, it is fatal.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Not at all. Laws transgressed here should be punished here. Laws transgressed in other countries, their laws apply.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No, for China’s law is strict, and no political and diplomatic pressure can alter the fate of the three Filipino drug mules. All we can do is pray for them.

The government’s gesture

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: No, but I appreciate the government’s gesture of trying to save said drug mules from execution.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: In a way, yes, and in fairness, the government had been responsive, exhausting all means to save the lives of the convicted drug mules. Vice-President Binay, in a personal bid to appeal for a commutation of sentence, tried hard to soften the heart of the Chinese Supreme Court, but obviously to no avail. In the light of all these, nobody could be blamed but the drug mules themselves, who appeared to have charted their ill-fated destiny, having been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Although late, the government, through VP Binay, did its best to save the lives of the three drug mules, but China has laws to follow.

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