Promulgation of execution set for 3 Filipinos in death row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Human Rights Online Philippines One comment

Promulgation of execution set for 3 Filipinos in death row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 03/29/2011 2:35 PM | Updated as of 03/29/2011 3:04 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The execution of the 3 Filipinos on death row in China will push through on March 30, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a press conference, DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said the Fujian Provincial Higher People’s Court will promulgate the execution of Sally Ordinario Villanueva and Ramon Credo at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

Based on Chinese laws, the prisoners will only know of their fate upon promulgation.

Malaya said the families of both Filipinos would be given visitation rights between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Xiamen 1 Detention House.

The family of another convicted drug mule, Elizabeth Batain, was also allowed to visit starting 9:30 a.m. at the Shenzhen 3 Detention House. The promulgation of the execution would take place before the visit, Malaya said.

“Sasamahan ng mga opisyales ng Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas sa Xiamen ang mga pamilya Credo at Ordinario sa kanilang pagbisita kay Ramon at Sally, [hanggang] sa oras ng pagpataw ng hatol sa kanila,” Malaya said.

“Sasamahan din ng opisyales ng Konsulado Heneral ng Pilipinas sa Guangdong ang pamilya Batain sa kanilang pagbisita kay Elizabeth,” he added.

The family will not be allowed to watch the executions. “It will be made in private,” Malaya said.

He debunked claims this is the end for the 3 drug mules, insisting “all we’re saying is what will happen tomorrow.”

He noted they are still aware of the continuous efforts of Vice President Jejomar Binay to appeal their cases before Chinese authorities.

“We are aware of the Vice President’s efforts, and we are grateful [for these]…and the DFA is continuously working with consulate officials [in China],” he said.

Binay sent a second letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, which he said was an “appeal for the continued suspension of the execution.”

Binay said the second letter is in view of the discovery of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of certain evidence “which would help us break wide open the illegal drugs traffic into China from the Philippines.”