Gov't doing everything for Pinay facing death in China

Malacañang on Saturday assured the family of a Filipina teacher facing execution for drug smuggling in China that the Philippine government is exerting all efforts to save her. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will seek to provide legal assistance to the convicted teacher. “Hindi natin pinapabayaan ang ganyan (We will not abandon her)," she said on government-run dzRB radio. On Friday, the DFA said the Filipina teacher was convicted and was given a death penalty sentence with a two-year reprieve by the Municipal Intermediate People’s Court last week. The Filipina was arrested for drug smuggling in October 2010 at the international airport in Guangzhou. Found in her possession were 1,996 grams of heroin concealed in a foil packet hidden under her checked-in suitcase. According to the DFA, the Filipino teacher had been working in China since 2006 and holds a legitimate alien employment permit. Her case will be elevated to the Guangdong High People’s Court for automatic review. “During the trial, the Consulate General provided legal and consular assistance to the Filipina, and will continue to assist her in her appeal. The Filipina’s family are also constantly being updated on her case," the DFA said. Earlier this year, three Filipino drug mules – Sally Villanueva, Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain – were executed after being convicted of drug smuggling. The DFA also reiterated its call to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggage or on their person when going abroad, in exchange for money, because harsh penalties await them in their destinations. It added Filipino travelers should remain vigilant and responsible in verifying invitations to work abroad, which could turn out to be a modus operandi to recruit drug mules. Job offers without proper documentation and working visas should be verified with Philippine authorities, it said. Common jump-off points from the Philippines before going to China where the illegal drugs are distributed are Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Vietnam. Filipino job-seekers are also urged to heed the Philippine government’s continuous warning about the operations of international drug-smuggling syndicates so as not to fall prey and suffer the consequences of violating the laws of other countries. The Philippine Consulate General reiterated that in China, a person caught in possession of illegal drugs in the amount of more than 50 grams will suffer the death penalty, if convicted. — LBG, GMA News