Aquino asks for prayers for 3 Pinoys on death row in China

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III asked Filipinos on Friday to pray that government efforts to save three Filipinos on death row in China will pay off. "May I call on all Filipinos, led by our religious leaders of all faiths to unite ourselves in prayer beginning today at sundown, at the pealing of the bell for the Angelus or during the most quiet and meditative times consistent with our respective faiths," Aquino said in a statement read by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. "All our prayers will soar to the heavens to touch the heart of God — the God who 'will make a way where there seems to be no way'," said the president. Valte said the government is exhausting all efforts to save the three from the death row. Binay leaves for China 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. Binay will also deliver to China Aquino's letter addressed to Chinese President Hu Jintao making the appeal based on "humanitarian" grounds. "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. 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. – VVP, GMA News