Pinoys offer Masses, prayers for 3 drug mules in China

In the hours before the execution of three Filipino drug mules in China Wednesday morning, many Filipinos stayed up and offered prayers for a last-minute miracle. At the house of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, one of the three Filipinos to be executed, neighbors and non-government organizations have been praying the rosary and lighted candles since Tuesday night. Villanueva, Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain are to be executed Wednesday after they were caught bringing in drugs to China in 2008. Streamers showing support for the kin of the three drug mules were placed in front of the house of Villanueva's sister at Batasan Hills in Quezon City, radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported. The report said more than 100 Filipinos went to the Villanueva residence to express their support. Many offered prayers and recited the rosary, it added. A report from GMA News' Unang Balita Wednesday morning said offers of prayers have continued for the three facing death, whose executions will be done before noon in China.
Meanwhile, the dzBB report said members of the Villanueva family did not sleep Tuesday night, even as neighbors brought them food and water. A team of three social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development was sent to the area to offer Villanueva’s kin psycho-social stress debriefing and counseling. At the residence of Credo in Bacoor town in Cavite, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported candles were lighted in front of the house. Flowers and several religious items such as a crucifix and rosaries were placed at the Credo residence. A tarpaulin in front of the house read, “Save the lives of OFWs on Death Row." In Manila, meanwhile, Filipinos went to the church of Nuestra Señora de Guia, considered by Catholic faithful as patron of migrant workers, to pray for a miracle for the three Filipinos facing execution, dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported. Manila Police District personnel guarded the churches where the Masses for the three were held, dzBB’s Carlo Mateo added. Police also kept watch over Plaza Miranda in Quiapo where a vigil was held for the three. In Baclaran, a Mass was held at the Redemptorist Church where Filipinos lighted candles and offered prayers for the three. At the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City, dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported a Mass was scheduled early morning for the three. — LBG, GMA News