PHL officials in Guangzhou renew call for vigilance vs. drug trafficking

Filipinos in China have been advised anew to be cautious in accepting packages intended to be delivered to the Philippines or a transit destination.

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou issued the warning Monday after Chinese authorities vowed to crack down on drug-related crimes in China following the reported rise in the number of foreigners involved.

“The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou reiterates its call on the public to remain vigilant of the modus operandi of drug syndicates in recruiting drug mules, as Chinese authorities resolved to crack down on drug-related crimes in China,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

According to a white paper released by the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, “foreigners from Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe make use of the convenience of Guangzhou’s location and turned the city into a hub for drug consumption, manufacturing, selling and trafficking.”

Aside from Guangzhou, other places topping the list for most number of drug-related cases include Guangdong Province, Hunan Province and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The provinces of Guangdong and Hunan fall under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.

The Consulate General advised Filipinos who are residing, working or vacationing in China to be cautious in accepting packages intended to be delivered to the Philippines or a transit destination.

They are reminded of the harsh penalty imposed under Chinese laws in case of conviction for drug-smuggling.

In 2010 and 2011, two Filipinos were executed as a result of a drug-smuggling conviction sustained by the Supreme People’s Court.

Travelers bound for mainland China are advised to comply with the pre-departure formalities being implemented by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to ensure the safety of travelers and prevent the occurrence of transnational crimes, including drug-trafficking.
 
Two pending cases of drug-trafficking involving three Filipino nationals are currently being monitored by the Consulate General.

To date, 95 Filipinos are incarcerated in various prison facilities within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General for having been convicted of drug-smuggling and sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment, life imprisonment and death with two-year reprieve. —KBK, GMA News

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