China to Execute Filipino Drug Smuggler

[Dedworth]

Smuggling heroin between Malaysia & China

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/196...china-on-dec-8

China’s Supreme People Court (SPC) has affirmed the drug trafficking conviction and death sentence on a Filipino, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

The DFA said the execution of the 35-year-old man, who it did not identify, has been scheduled for December 8, even as President Benigno Aquino III has appealed to Chinese President Hu Jintao to commute the death sentence to life in prison.

The DFA “conveys its sadness at this turn of events,” said Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson.

“The family of the Filipino national has been informed of the SPC decision and arrangements are being made for them to depart for China at the soonest possible time in order to visit and see their loved one,” he said.

Arrested in 2008

The Filipino was arrested in September 2008 while allegedly trying to smuggle 1.5 kilograms of heroin into Guangxi province in southern China from Malaysia.

“He was apprehended on Sept. 13, 2008, at the Guilin International Airport upon arrival from Malaysia. Airport authorities found the heroin in his possession,” said the DFA.

He was convicted by the High People’s Court of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which was confirmed by the China’s highest court in late November.

According to Hernandez, Mr. Aquino’s letter to Hu requested the commutation of the convict’s death penalty to life imprisonment. It was delivered by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to the Chinese ambassador Wednesday.

Del Rosario said he had met with the convict’s family Wednesday. The family requested that “his name and his origin not be released by the DFA under any circumstances,” he said.

“I am afraid we have to respect their request,” Del Rosario said.

[Englishman2010]

The law is the law and has to be obeyed in Asian countries with the death penalty for drugs offences

[grahamw48]

I agree .

The Phils govt. would save a lot more Filipino lives if they banned gun ownership in their country.

[Englishman2010]

.

The Phils govt. would save a lot more Filipino lives if they banned gun ownership in their country.

Absolutely Only yesterday, I was chatting to Elaine about guns and how nearly no one here has a gun, except members of shooting clubs and armed robbers/wannabe gangsta's and Eastern European people smugglers. She thought it was strange that Police and Security Guards aren't armed here.

[Dedworth]

She thought it was strange that Police and Security Guards aren't armed here.

Maybe if they were the Criminal Justice System and HM Prison Service would be less of a burden on the taxpayer. It always makes my day when I hear of armed robbers being shot dead or car thieves ploughing into a wall

[grahamw48]

Then we taxpayers just end up footing the bill for the 5-year long enquiry.

Can't win.

[Englishman2010]

I believe the way we do things here is the right way, with Armed Response Units deployed as and when required. Rather that than the Wild West ways of the USA.