Spare drug smugglers, Philippines leader says
Source: Agencies |
February 17, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE president of the Philippines said yesterday that he will ask his Chinese counterpart to commute the death sentences of three Filipinos scheduled to be executed next week for drug trafficking.
China has defended the sentences.
Benigno Aquino III said that officials were trying to set up a phone call to Chinese President Hu Jintao so he could personally make the appeal on behalf of the two women and one man whose death sentences were affirmed last week by the Supreme People's Court in Beijing.
"We think we have very good relations with them," he said. "Unfortunately we have not yet been successful, but we will not stop."
Philippines Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the three were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages containing about 15 kilograms of heroin into China. They were convicted in 2009.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the three Filipinos stood trial and went through an appeals process in 2009 before the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and the death penalty this month. "No one is privileged to transcend the law," the statement said.
The Filipinos were arrested carrying the drug into China to exchange for cash. They claimed they were unaware the packages held drugs, Conejos said.
Conejos said since 2006, more than 200 Filipinos have faced drugs charges in China. Of these 72 have received the death penalty with possible commutation; 38 were given life imprisonment; 78 were sentenced to 15 years in prison; and 35 are currently on trial. Only six cases reached the Supreme Court, where two sentences were overturned, three affirmed and one is currently being reviewed.
China has defended the sentences.
Benigno Aquino III said that officials were trying to set up a phone call to Chinese President Hu Jintao so he could personally make the appeal on behalf of the two women and one man whose death sentences were affirmed last week by the Supreme People's Court in Beijing.
"We think we have very good relations with them," he said. "Unfortunately we have not yet been successful, but we will not stop."
Philippines Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the three were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages containing about 15 kilograms of heroin into China. They were convicted in 2009.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the three Filipinos stood trial and went through an appeals process in 2009 before the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and the death penalty this month. "No one is privileged to transcend the law," the statement said.
The Filipinos were arrested carrying the drug into China to exchange for cash. They claimed they were unaware the packages held drugs, Conejos said.
Conejos said since 2006, more than 200 Filipinos have faced drugs charges in China. Of these 72 have received the death penalty with possible commutation; 38 were given life imprisonment; 78 were sentenced to 15 years in prison; and 35 are currently on trial. Only six cases reached the Supreme Court, where two sentences were overturned, three affirmed and one is currently being reviewed.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
