88 Pinoys Facing Death Penalty Abroad – DFA
MANILA – About 88 Filipinos are facing death penalty abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference, DFA spokesperson Charlese Jose said about half of the total number Filipinos on death row were jailed for illegal drugs, while the other half were for murder.
He said most of the Filipinos facing death penalty are in China and Malaysia.
”We are aware of all of these cases and we are paying close attention to them. Embassies and consulates concerned are monitoring these cases,” Jose said.
”Most of these were already given two-year reprieve, or on appeal, so walang imminent for execution.”
In recent years, several Filipinos were executed abroad for murder and drug-related charges.
The latest Filipino to be executed was Carlito Lana, who was beheaded in Saudi Arabia in December 2014 after being found guilty of shooting Saudi national Nasser Al-Gahtani before running him over with a car.
In July 2013, the DFA also confirmed the execution of a woman who was caught smuggling illegal drugs in China.
The Pinay was arrested on January 25, 2011 at an international airport after authorities found 6.198 kilos of heroin inside her luggage. Her cousin was also arrested for carrying 6.171 kilos of heroin in his own luggage.
China also executed in 2011 three Filipinos – Sally Ordinario Villanueva, Ramon Credo, and Elizabeth Batain – who were convicted of drug trafficking.
Mary Jane Veloso is set to be executed by firing squad on Tuesday in Indonesia after being convicted of drug trafficking.
The Indonesian government remains steadfast on pushing through with the execution of Veloso despite the appeal of the Philippine government. Eight others are set to be executed.