Pinay acquitted of drug charges in Italy — DFA

A Filipino woman was acquitted of drug charges in Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

The woman, who was not identified by the DFA, was placed under house arrest during her seven-month trial, the DFA said, citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Rome.

The DFA said the Tribunale di Civitavecchia judge ruled in her favor, saying her statements made in courts were consistent.

The Filipino woman was arrested on October 4 last year upon her arrival at the Fiumicino Airport in Italy.

She was allegedly found to be carrying 49.50 grams of shabu hidden inside a portable DVD player.

She alleged that her fellow overseas Filipino worker (OFW) asked her to carry the appliance with her.

The DFA said the Filipino woman jailed at the Civitavecchia prison from the day of her arrest until her trial on October 18, 2010.

She was later granted house arrest for medical reasons.

The DFA said that when the Philippine Embassy in Rome learned of the woman’s case, it immediately made representations to attend hearings and provided her lawyer.

The Filipino community also provided assistance to the woman, it added.

The DFA said the Filipino Chaplaincy even launched a signature campaign attesting to her good moral character. More than 500 signatures were collected in this campaign, which were also presented to the court. - Jesse Edep, VVP, GMA News

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