DFA: PHL delegation now in Beijing to plead for 3 Pinoys

A Philippine delegation tasked to plead for the lives of three Filipinos facing execution in China for drug-related cases arrived in Beijing at noon Friday. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Eduardo Malaya said Chinese officials welcomed the delegation led by Vice-President Jejomar Binay. "The delegation arrived in Beijing at noon and was welcomed by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and PROC Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao, and Philippine Ambassador to China Francisco Benedicto," Malaya said in a news release posted on the government portal. Malaya said Binay and DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. were to meet with President Wang Shen Jun of the Chinese Supreme People’s Court (SPC) and other high-ranking Chinese officials. The DFA spokesman extended his appreciation to China for warmly receiving Binay and his delegation, and for the opportunity to engage senior Chinese officials on behalf of the three Filipinos and their families. "It is rare for countries to send a high-level official to appeal for their nationals in these circumstances. President Aquino, with his deep sense of compassion, decided to instruct the Vice-President to proceed to China for the sake of the families of our three Filipino nationals," he said. He added the visit reaffirms the close friendship between the Philippines and China and gives both sides the opportunity to further collaborate on ways and means to address the drug trafficking menace. 'Clemency on humanitarian grounds' Binay was earlier scheduled to leave for China on Thursday morning, but his trip was delayed because Beijing at the time had not yet given its go-signal. Binay received the Chinese go-signal only at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. (See: Binay leaves for China to save 3 Pinoys from death row) The Vice-President brought with him a letter from Aquino seeking clemency for the three persons, adding that in his belief, 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. On the other hand, Malaya acknowledged that the sentences imposed on the three Filipinos are final in accordance with Chinese law, and reiterated the Philippine government’s respect for the decisions of the Chinese courts. Meanwhile, Malaya said the families of Ramon Credo and Sally Villanueva will leave for Xiamen Saturday morning to have the opportunity to see and to visit their loved ones on Sunday. On Sunday morning, the family of Elizabeth Batain will leave Manila for Guangzhou for a similar visit. DFA: We extended full assistance "We wish to emphasize that the DFA extended full legal and consular assistance to all three Filipino nationals. The Philippine Government also made low-key but high-level representations with the Chinese authorities to seek mitigated sentences for our three Filipinos," the DFA spokesman said. The Philippine Consulates General in Xiamen and in Guangzhou made constant jail visitations and extended full consular assistance to the three Filipinos and to their families for scheduled visits, he added. Consulate officials in Xiamen visited Villanueva eight times and Credo also eight times during the two-year period from period January 2009 to January 2011, Malaya said. Consulate officials in Guangzhou visited Batain five times between August 2008 and October 2010, he added. "The Embassy and Consulates closely monitored their cases (both the trial and the appeal). Consulate officials attended their court hearings and had close coordination with the counsels of the three Filipinos," he said. "All three Filipinos were represented by competent legal counsel and aided by translators during the trial of their cases," he added. "Let me close by appealing to all Filipinos, particularly those who travel abroad, not to be victimized by international drug syndicates. At the airport, do not agree to carry any luggage for strangers. We must all take full responsibility for our actions by always being on guard against inducements," Malaya said.—JV, GMA News