Remains of executed Pinay in China arrive home

After a one-hour delay, the remains of one of three Filipinos executed in China for drug trafficking last month arrived home Wednesday night. The remains of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from China before 9 p.m., radio dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo reported. But the remains were not immediately released to the family as paperwork had to be processed first. Villanueva's relatives, including her mother Edith and siblings Mylene, Jason and Mirasol, waited at the PAL cargo terminal for her remains. While Mirasol said they are trying to be strong and calm, Edith said she will exhaust all legal means to prove her daughter was a victim of the drug trade.

Villanueva's relatives sported white mourning cloths, saying it was a tradition in Northern Luzon where they come from. Representatives from the Office of the Vice President, led by lawyer Ira Pozon, were present to wait for Villanueva's remains. They were to facilitate the release of Villanueva's remains from PAL to her family. Also, the OVP reiterated its promise to shoulder the scholarship expenses for Villanueva's children. Upon arrival, Villanueva's remains will be taken to her home in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, then transferred to Isabela province on Thursday. At her Quezon City home, candles were lighted for Villanueva and prayers offered for other Filipino workers abroad who are facing execution. Villanueva was executed along with Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain last March 30 for bringing in drugs to China in 2008. - KBK, GMA News