VIDEO | Philippine Gov’t Provides Assistance to 4 Filipina ‘Drug Mules’ Nabbed in HK
By: Philippine News Agency | News5
November 5, 2015 1:59 AM
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is providing assistance to four Filipinas who were arrested in Hong Kong late September for allegedly trying to sneak in illegal drugs, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said some 2.49 kilograms of “dangerous drugs” suspected to be cocaine worth about $3 million were allegedly found in the possession of the Filipinos.
As a matter of policy, the Philippine government does not provide the identities of Filipinos without the approval of their families.
“The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has already visited the arrested Filipino nationals and is providing appropriate and timely assistance to ensure their welfare and well-being,” Jose said.
Jose said the four have attended two trial hearings and the third hearing is scheduled on December 21.
The DFA said the four suspects are now cooperating with Hong Kong authorities.
In a follow-up operation, this has led to the arrest of Ugandan national Rufus Katumba and his live-in partner Marlyn Ramos in a subdivision in Santa Rosa, Laguna last October. Seized from Katumba, who is allegedly the leader of an African drug syndicate, were more than 10 kilos of cocaine worth about P20 million.
In a visit to the DFA Wednesday, the families of the four Filipinas arrested in Hong Kong said they believe that the four suspects will eventually be exonerated after they are proven to be victims of the syndicate.
Since 2011, five Filipinos – all drug couriers – were put to death in China.
Despite this, many Filipinos continue to engage in drug trafficking.
Nearly 90 Filipinos, mostly in China, are facing death penalty in several countries. The DFA said more than half of this figure are drug-related cases.
The DFA reminded Filipinos, especially women, not to be easily enticed into accepting huge sums of money in exchange for favors from strangers.