PHL seeks judicial review on case of Pinay drug mule facing execution in Indonesia

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday confirmed that a Filipino woman is facing execution in Indonesia for smuggling large amounts of prohibited drugs in 2010.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine government “is aware of the case” and has already sought judicial review.

Jose said the woman, who flew in from Malaysia to Indonesia, was arrested by authorities on April 25, 2010 for alleged trafficking of 2.6 kilograms of heroin at the Yogyakarta airport.

In many countries, such as Indonesia and China, smuggling of large quantities of prohibited drugs is punishable by death.

Jose said the government is making “all the appropriate representations” with the Indonesian government at all levels on its intention to file a request for judicial review.

In coordination with her defense lawyer, Jose said the formal application for judicial review was filed on Jan 19, 2015 at the District Court of Justice of Sleman, Yogyakarta.

“We continue to provide the Filipino all necessary and possible assistance at all stages of the judicial process,” he said.

The family of the Filipino is also being provided regular updates on the case, Jose added.

Since 2011, five Filipinos – all drug couriers – were put to death in China.

Unfazed by the executions, many Filipinos continue to engage in drug trafficking, refocusing attention to the government's futile efforts to deal with criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable Filipino workers, who are used to ferry drugs for money or by trickery.

As of September 2014, the DFA recorded a total of 805 Filipinos who are detained abroad for drug-related offenses.

Of this figure, 341 are detained in Asia and the Pacific, 244 in Middle East and Africa, 116 in the United States and the Americas, and 104 in Europe. —KBK, GMA News

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