Pinay, 2 children held in China as drug mules

MANILA, Philippines - Chinese authorities arrested a Filipina, her 18-year old son, and her baby daughter allegedly for possession and attempt to smuggle illegal drugs, according to a report of the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.

The three arrived in Zhuhai from Macau under a Chinese group visa and were immediately detained. The mother and baby were repatriated by the Chinese authorities for humanitarian considerations, while the son is facing a harsh sentence for alleged possession of nearly two kilos of heroin.

The Consulate General reiterated its warning to travelers against accepting and carrying packages they suspect to contain drugs.

In Guangdong, 56 Filipinas are currently serving sentences at the Guangdong Women’s Prison, while 13 Filipinos are imprisoned at the Dongguan Provincial Prison.

Out of the six Filipinos sentenced to death by Chinese courts, five have been commuted to death with a two-year reprieve. The only remaining case of the Filipina sentenced to death without reprieve has been elevated to the Supreme People’s Court in Beijing on May 9, according to the Guangdong High People’s Court.

There are currently 99 Philippine nationals incarcerated in Chinese prisons under the Consulate General’s jurisdiction.

“The modus operandi used by international drug syndicates with network operations in many parts of Asia involves luring Philippine nationals to apply for visas to China, through Filipino and Chinese agents,” said Consul General Joselito Jimeno.

The Philippine government has launched several programs to curtail the recruitment and involvement of Filipinos as drug mules.

However, the Consul General said that there must be a strong measure of personal responsibility on the part of Filipinos going abroad not to get involved or victimized by unscrupulous individuals.

“Filipino jobseekers are reminded to always consider the laws and regulations of the host country on employment. It is equally important for our kababayans to take the initial responsibility to inquire and determine with Philippine government agencies the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and their job offers,” Jimeno said.

He said if the visas issued to them are tourist “L” or business “F,” they not traveling to China as legal workers. He noted that China has not yet opened its job market to overseas workers.