Noynoy urged to save Pinay in Iran from possible ‘death’

A migrants’ rights group on Friday urged President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III to immediately attend to the case of a Filipina worker arrested and detained for alleged possession of illegal drugs in Iran. The Migrante-Middle East, however, said Rosalie (not her real name) may have been victimized by a drug trafficking syndicate that prey on innocent overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and use them as “mules" or couriers of illegal drugs. “We are hoping that under the new Aquino government and based on his statements during his inauguration, this particular case of Rosalie will be given full attention and that she will be provided all the needed help, including legal assistance, as her case is punishable by death," Migrante regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said. In a letter to Migrante dated July 1, the Philippine Embassy in Iran confirmed that Rosalie is currently detained at Mashhad Central Prison for allegedly carrying 1.6 kg of heroin. Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Law states that possession of more than 30 grams of drugs such as heroin, morphine or cocaine is punishable by death penalty. Rosalie was arrested by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) last June 16, the Embassy disclosed. “According to the note from the Iranian MFA, (Rosalie’s) case is now in court for litigation," said the letter signed by charge d’affaires Mariano Dumia. Dumia said the Embassy immediately informed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) about the case of Rosalie, who is now imprisoned in Mashhad prison together with two other Filipinos who were detained for the same offense. Earlier, the family of Rosalie requested Migrante’s assistance for update on her case. According to Rosalie’s relatives, Monterona said, she was supposed to fly to Thailand last March to work as a waitress. This, however, did not push through. When Rosalie told her family last May that she was set to leave for Iran, her relatives became worried but kept their suspicions to themselves. On June 27, Rosalie called her sister and told her that she has been in jail in Iran for one month after she was accused of possession of illegal drugs. “The phone call was cut short and she was not able to tell the details of her present situation, according to her sister," Monterona said. He said Migrante had earlier asked the Embassy and the DFA to provide legal assistance to Rosalie, but nothing came of it. The Embassy cannot be reached for comments as of posting time. – Jerrie M. Abella/FONJ, GMANews.TV