1 of 3 drug mules buried; random drug checks start at NAIA

One of three Filipino drug mules executed in China last March 30 was laid to rest Sunday, even as officials continued to implement measures to prevent Filipinos from leaving the country as unwitting drug mules. The remains of Elizabeth Batain were buried in Quezon province amid tearful goodbyes from family and friends, radio dzBB reported Monday. Batain's relatives released white balloons into the air during the burial, as a call for justice for what happened to her. Batain was executed last March 30 along with Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Ramon Credo in China. The three were caught bringing in drugs to China in 2008. Also on Sunday, Villanueva's remains were brought to the hometown of her husband in Jones town in Isabela. The remains were initially brought to her hometown in Echague, but were brought to Jones Sunday afternoon. Villanueva is to be buried in Jones on Thursday.

Random drug checks Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Customs started random drug checks started at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The move aimed to prevent Filipinos from leaving abroad with drugs in their baggage. Families of the three executed Filipino drug mules had claimed they were victims of drug syndicates that fooled them into bringing drugs out of the country. Under the setup, all baggage will pass through an x-ray machine and K-9 units will smell the baggage for traces of drugs. Any baggage with traces of drugs will be inspected by the PDEA and Bureau of Customs, with the owner subjected to a possible body search. — RSJ, GMA News