PHL seeks royal pardon for Pinoy prisoners in Thailand

Philippine officials in Thailand have asked the the Royal Thai government to grant royal pardon to 15 Filipinos serving sentences in various Thai prisons. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the petitions covered Filipinos with the oldest cases and the longest prison sentences, including two people sentenced to 25 years in jail. "Some of the prisoners included in the petition informed the Embassy that they were already interviewed by prison authorities. The interview is part of the Thai prison system's internal processes for determining whether an inmate is eligible for Royal pardon," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website Thursday. The DFA added the Embassy continues to provide assistance to all Filipino inmates by arranging jail visits to them by concerned members of the Filipino community in Thailand. Meanwhile, Embassy officials led by Vice Consul Randy Arquiza and members of the Philippine Ladies Group Foundation (PLGF) visited 24 Filipino female inmates at the Bangkok Central Women Correctional Institution on February 16. The visit was part of the Embassy's program of regularly visiting Filipino prisoners in various Thai prisons, with the support of members of the Filipino community. The Filipino community had volunteered to share a little of their time and resources to the prisoners. During the visit, the PLGF members led by its president Daisy Mendiola served lunch for the Filipina inmates. PLGF member Zenaida Vannaying provided the food. Embassy officials and the PLGF members also talked to the female inmates, taking special note of their requests for basic necessities such as toothbrushes, postage stamps, and writing pads. "The female inmates were very happy with the visit. They were especially touched by the kindness of the PLGF ladies who provided them meals," the DFA said. PLGF is a non-political, non-governmental, non-profit association of Filipino women residing in Thailand. It aims to support and participate in humanitarian activities and to promote the good image of the Philippines abroad. – VVP, GMA News