Binay leaves for China to save 3 Pinoys from death row

Vice-President Jejomar Binay left for China early on Friday in a last-ditch attempt to save the three Filipinos facing execution for drug-related offenses, a radio dzBB report said. Before leaving, Binay appealed again to the Filipino people to pray for a miracle to save the three people from death row. "As instructed by President (Benigno III) Aquino, I leave this morning for Beijing together with (Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Jr.) Conejos to appeal for clemency for our three kababayans on death row," Binay said in a departure statement he read at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before leaving. "Our embassy in Beijing informed me that this visit is a special consideration for the Philippines in view of the close friendship between our two countries and peoples," Binay said. A report of radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad said Binay and Conejos left at 7:15 a.m. on board a Philippine Airlines PR-358 flight to Beijing.

Sincere thanks In his departure statement, he expressed sincere thanks to the Chinese government for accommodating the Philippine request to appeal on behalf of the three Filipinos and their families. Binay brought with him a letter from Aquino seeking clemency for the three persons. While the government respects the decision of the Chinese courts and does not condone drug trafficking, Binay said he believes the three Filipinos were "merely victims of international drug syndicates." "I carry with me the prayers of the Filipino people led by our President Aquino that clemency could be granted on humanitarian grounds," he said. Binay said he is scheduled to meet with the president of the Supreme People’s Court of China and other high-ranking Chinese officials in Beijing. "I likewise hope to discuss with the Chinese officials how China and the Philippines can further work together to address the drug menace. I hope that we will continue to pray for our kababayans and their families," he said. "As I always stated during the past few days, through prayers we hope for a miracle," he added. Trip was delayed Binay was earlier scheduled to leave for China on Thursday morning. However, his trip was delayed because the Chinese government at the time had not yet given its go-signal. The Chinese government only gave its go-signal for Binay’s mission later in the day. Binay said he learned of the go-signal at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Optimism, prayers In a series of radio interviews before leaving, Binay asked Filipinos to pray for a successful mission. "Hinihingi natin sa ating [mga] kababayan [na] dagdagan natin ang pagdarasal, harinawa may himala rito sa kaso ng ating kababayan (We ask our people for prayers so we can have a miracle)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. In a separate interview on dwIZ radio, Binay voiced optimism about his mission. "At least e nagkakaroon tayo ng lalong mahabang pagtitiwala na may chance na maganda (With this chance, I hope our chances of succeeding will be good)," he said. Convicts’ families to leave Saturday Conejos, meanwhile, said 10 relatives of the three convicts may be leaving for Beijing on Saturday. He earlier said only two relatives from each family were allowed to go to China but Aquino ordered that the rules be "relaxed." "President Aquino ordered that those who want to go can go, so about 10 relatives from the three families may leave on Saturday," he said in Filipino. — RSJ/VVP, GMA News