Babies of 2 Pinays in prison in China repatriated

MANILA, Philippines - Two babies whose mothers were convicted of drug smuggling in China were repatriated to the Philippines on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Executive Director of the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs’ (DFA-OUMWA) Enrico Fos said the DFA facilitated the repatriation of the two babies as their mothers remain in detention.

The 11-month-old baby of Rosabeth Villapando and the 14-month-old baby of Karren Andojar arrived in Manila on Wednesday night from Guangzhou accompanied by representatives from the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou. They were welcomed by Fos, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the babies’ relatives in Manila. Also present were representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Rep. Roquito Ablan Jr. and Manuel Chua, chairman of Tulay Foundation and other DFA staff.

“While their respective mothers remain in detention and could not be helped at the moment, the babies needed to be saved from the horrible experience of being in prison,” Fos said.

The babies’ mothers were arrested by Chinese authorities in Youyiguan Port, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China in separate occasions on Sept. 26 and 27, 2008 for suspected drug smuggling.

Andojar and Villapando were found carrying 1,350 grams and 3,741.5 grams of heroin, respectively.

They were convicted by the High People’s Court on Jan. 21, 2009 and sentenced to serve life imprisonment.

The DFA said both women were pregnant at the time of their arrest. 

“They had the misconception that pregnant women caught smuggling drugs in China will not be detained by authorities and will be immediately repatriated,” the DFA said.

According to the DFA, the two women also admitted that they knowingly accepted the offer to carry drugs from members of international drug syndicates for a fee.

Upon the successful and consistent representation of the Consulate General, both women were not mixed with other criminals while they were in detention but were confined at the Ping-xiang Detention House.

The DFA, in coordination with the PDEA and other concerned government agencies, continue to work on comprehensive and pro-active measures to address the ‘drug mules’ issue and prevent the further victimization of Filipinos by international drug syndicates.

Upon the recommendation of the DFA, President Arroyo signed on Feb. 8 Administrative Order No. 279 which created the Task Force on Drug Couriers, tasked to prevent Filipinos being used as drug couriers by international drug trafficking syndicates.

Chua has very close ties with officials in Beijing and was responsible for the release of Chinese and Malaysian fishermen caught poaching in Philippine waters in the past. His benevolent act did not go unnoticed in China, so that he was rewarded with the release of Kate and Ashley.