Philippines: China executes 3 Filipino drug mules

[sjr09 155]

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government said China executed three Filipinos convicted of drug smuggling Wednesday despite last-minute appeals for clemency and political concessions by the country's leaders.

Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, 32, and Ramon Credo, 42, met their families for the last time early Wednesday before they were put to death by lethal injection in Xiamen, said Philippine Consul Noel Novicio. Elizabeth Batain, 38, was allowed to meet with her relatives hours ahead of her execution in Shenzhen, Novicio said.

The three were not aware they would be executed Wednesday although their sentences were promulgated early in the day, Novicio said. It was the first time that Filipino nationals were executed in China.

China normally does not announce executions. Amnesty International says China is the world's biggest executioner, with thousands of convicts killed every year. The Philippines has abolished the death penalty.

"They already gave us (her) things. It's too much, they gave us only one hour (with her). They have no mercy," Ordinario-Villanueva's sister, Maylene Ordinario, said in a text message from Xiamen to her family in the Philippines.

She said that her sister was blessed by a priest and "she said she wants to be forgiven for all her sins but she insisted that she was a victim."

"She asked us to take care of her children, to take care of each other and to help one another. I have not accepted what will happen. We are forcing ourselves to accept it but I can't," she told Manila radio station DZBB.

The three were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages containing at least 8 pounds (4 kilograms) of heroin. They were convicted and sentenced in 2009.

In its appeals for clemency, which included three letters by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to his Chinese counterpart and a February visit to Beijing by the vice president that prompted China to postpone the executions by a month, the government said it was able to prove that a drug syndicate took advantage of the Filipinos. It said that Philippine authorities succeeded in identifying and arresting some members of the syndicate.

[_Simpson_ 250]

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government said China executed three Filipinos convicted of drug smuggling Wednesday despite last-minute appeals for clemency and political concessions by the country's leaders.

Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, 32, and Ramon Credo, 42, met their families for the last time early Wednesday before they were put to death by lethal injection in Xiamen, said Philippine Consul Noel Novicio. Elizabeth Batain, 38, was allowed to meet with her relatives hours ahead of her execution in Shenzhen, Novicio said.

The three were not aware they would be executed Wednesday although their sentences were promulgated early in the day, Novicio said. It was the first time that Filipino nationals were executed in China.

China normally does not announce executions. Amnesty International says China is the world's biggest executioner, with thousands of convicts killed every year. The Philippines has abolished the death penalty.

"They already gave us (her) things. It's too much, they gave us only one hour (with her). They have no mercy," Ordinario-Villanueva's sister, Maylene Ordinario, said in a text message from Xiamen to her family in the Philippines.

She said that her sister was blessed by a priest and "she said she wants to be forgiven for all her sins but she insisted that she was a victim."

"She asked us to take care of her children, to take care of each other and to help one another. I have not accepted what will happen. We are forcing ourselves to accept it but I can't," she told Manila radio station DZBB.

The three were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages containing at least 8 pounds (4 kilograms) of heroin. They were convicted and sentenced in 2009.

In its appeals for clemency, which included three letters by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to his Chinese counterpart and a February visit to Beijing by the vice president that prompted China to postpone the executions by a month, the government said it was able to prove that a drug syndicate took advantage of the Filipinos. It said that Philippine authorities succeeded in identifying and arresting some members of the syndicate.

Its hard to feel sorry for a heroine dealer but the punishment does not fit the crime. I feel for the families.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Its hard to feel sorry for a heroine dealer but the punishment does not fit the crime. I feel for the families.

The punishment does not fit the crime but they cannot say they didn't know the potential punishment. When I traveled in and out of China the imigration papers you fill out on the plane state clearly that the death penalty is in force for drug dealers. In Indonesia there is a huge sign stating that the penalty for drug dealing is death right above the walkway from the plane. They knew the risk and they lost.

[sjr09 155]

The punishment does not fit the crime but they cannot say they didn't know the potential punishment. When I traveled in and out of China the imigration papers you fill out on the plane state clearly that the death penalty is in force for drug dealers. In Indonesia there is a huge sign stating that the penalty for drug dealing is death right above the walkway from the plane. They knew the risk and they lost.

I agree with the above, even if the government said it was able to prove that a drug syndicate took advantage of the Filipinos.

[_Simpson_ 250]

The punishment does not fit the crime but they cannot say they didn't know the potential punishment. When I traveled in and out of China the imigration papers you fill out on the plane state clearly that the death penalty is in force for drug dealers. In Indonesia there is a huge sign stating that the penalty for drug dealing is death right above the walkway from the plane. They knew the risk and they lost.

Yes true they probably were aware of the strict laws. Philippines also have strict laws on drug trafficking but in the Philippines they are not as strictly enforced. Considering she was from the Philippines she probably didn't take it as seriously as a Chinese woman would have. Also it sounds like she might of been manipulated. I know that ignorance is not a excuse but this is just uncalled for.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Harsh Punishments for Drug Use in Southeast Asia

Proximity of "Golden Triangle" Puts Governments On Alert Against Drugs

By Michael Aquino, About.com Guide

See More About:southeast asia lawssoutheast asia tipssoutheast asia safety

Renae Lawrence, one of the Bali Nine, in a police van awaiting her return to jail.

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Southeast Asia’s governments impose the toughest drug laws on the planet. You can’t blame them – the legendary “Golden Triangle”, a patch of real estate bordering Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, is smack in the heart of the region, and is a world hotspot of narcotics production. (The CIA Factbook calls Myanmar the “world's second largest producer of illicit opium”).

In spite of such draconian measures, certain places are flush with illegal drugs. However, you should still defer to local laws when offered a chance to indulge – your status as a foreigner does not make you less likely to be punished for drug use, quite the opposite!

Some general, unsolicited advice:

Don’t bring your personal stash with you. Don’t get conned into carrying drugs for others, whether as personal favors or for profit. The risks far outweigh the possibility of getting away with it. You can bet the Bali Nine or Schapelle Corby (see Notable Arrests below) thought they could get away with it, too.

If you’re bringing prescription drugs with you, play it safe and bring the prescription for these drugs.

Notable Drug Arrests

Schappelle Corby - convicted of smuggling almost 10 pounds of marijuana into Bali. She could have received a death penalty – instead, the judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison. (Schapelle Corby – Wikipedia)

Nguyen Tuong Van - hanged at Singapore’s Changi prison in 2008. He had been caught with 14 ounces of heroin at Changi International Airport during a stopover between Cambodia and Australia. The Singapore government denied the Australian government’s request for clemency. (Nguyen Van Tuong – Wikipedia)

The Bali Nine – an Australian drug ring facing the death penalty for smuggling heroin into Bali. They are being held for attempting to smuggle 18 pounds of heroin into Bali. (Bali Nine – Wikipedia)

Michelle Leslie - Australian model caught with two Ecstasy pills in 2005. She later pleaded guilty to possession, was sentenced to time served, and was released. (Michelle Leslie – Wikipedia)

Kevin John Barlow and Brian Geoffrey Chambers were hanged in Malaysia in 1986 for trafficking five ounces of heroin. (Barlow and Chambers execution – Wikipedia)

Drug Laws and Penalties in Southeast Asia – by Country

Southeast Asian countries have strict laws in place for drug-related offenses, and aren't afraid to use them.

The region's diplomats aren't afraid to ignore appeals for clemency from Western governments, if any are made at all. Americans under arrest on drug-related charges pose a dilemma for the State Department - the U.S. government may jeopardize its own war on drugs if it intercedes in such cases.

The pertinent laws and penalties for each country are listed in brief below.

Cambodia

The death penalty was abolished in Cambodia, but drug laws remain strict for those caught with controlled substances, at least on paper. Cambodia's laws prescribe punishment ranging from 5 years to life in prison, but law enforcement is lax.

Drugs in Cambodia - "Pot Prohibition Never Really Caught On"

Law on the Drug Control - Cambodia (ASEANSEC.org)

Indonesia

Indonesian drug laws prescribe the death penalty for narcotics trafficking and up 20 years in prison for marijuana offenses. Simple possession results in prison terms of one to five years. The country has recently ended a four-year hiatus on the death penalty for drug-related offenses - two Nigerians were executed by firing squad on June 26.

Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Narcotics (ASEANSEC.org)

Executions for Drug Crimes Are Resumed in Indonesia (New York Times)

Laos

The Criminal Code of Laos penalizes possession of narcotics under Article 135. Under a new amendment to the existing Code, possession of at least 3.5 ounces (100g) of heroin can get you 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $35,000 (100 million kip).

Laos Confident New Anti-Narcotic Law Will Effectively Help Combat Drug Problems (Voice of America)

United Nations Third Committee, Item 104: Laos, International Drug Control (UN.int)

Malaysia

Long jail sentences and heavy fines are mandatory for suspects caught with controlled substances, and the death penalty is prescribed for drug traffickers. the law presumes you are trafficking in drugs if you’re caught in possession of at least half an ounce of heroin or at least seven ounces of marijuana.

Criminal Penalties – Malaysia (US Department of State)

Philippines

The law prescribes the death penalty for drug traffickers caught with at least 0.3 ounce of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana resin, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana. The Philippines has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty, but drug offenders are still punished harshly if caught – the minimum sentence is 12 years in prison for possession of.17 ounce of illegal drugs.

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 - Philippines (ASEANSEC.org)

Singapore

The Misuse of Drugs Act is very strict – persons caught with at least half an ounce of heroin, at least 1 ounce of morphine or cocaine, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana are presumed to be trafficking in drugs, and face a mandatory death penalty. 400 people were hanged for drug trafficking in Singapore between 1991 and 2004.

Misuse of Drugs Act of 1973 - Singapore (ASEANSEC.org)

Separating fact from fiction, despite a deep sense of human compassion: the Singaporean High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Australia explains Singapore's harsh stance against drug offenders, in the light of the death penalty imposed on Australian citizen Nguyen Tuong Van

Thailand

In Thailand, the law prescribes the death penalty for carrying category I narcotics (heroin) "for the purpose of disposal". The death penalty for drug trafficking has not been imposed since 2004, but rehabilitation counselling is often imposed on convicted drug users.

Narcotics Act B.E. 2552 - Thailand (ASEANSEC.org)

Vietnam

Vietnam strictly enforces its drug laws. As prescribed by Article 96a and Article 203 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, possession of heroin in quantities larger than 1.3 pounds gets you a mandatory death sentence. In 2007, 85 people were executed for drug related offenses.

Article 96A and Article 203 of the Vietnam Criminal Code (VN National Legal Database)

[sjr09 155]

China. after your imposed death they harvest your organs and body for profit! http://abcnews.go.co...ndex?id=2669198

Edited March 31, 2011 by sjr09

[sjr09 155]

Cambodia

The death penalty was abolished in Cambodia, but drug laws remain strict for those caught with controlled substances, at least on paper. Cambodia's laws prescribe punishment ranging from 5 years to life in prison, but law enforcement is lax.

Drugs in Cambodia - "Pot Prohibition Never Really Caught On"

Law on the Drug Control - Cambodia (ASEANSEC.org)

Indonesia

Indonesian drug laws prescribe the death penalty for narcotics trafficking and up 20 years in prison for marijuana offenses. Simple possession results in prison terms of one to five years. The country has recently ended a four-year hiatus on the death penalty for drug-related offenses - two Nigerians were executed by firing squad on June 26.

Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Narcotics (ASEANSEC.org)

Executions for Drug Crimes Are Resumed in Indonesia (New York Times)

Laos

The Criminal Code of Laos penalizes possession of narcotics under Article 135. Under a new amendment to the existing Code, possession of at least 3.5 ounces (100g) of heroin can get you 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $35,000 (100 million kip).

Laos Confident New Anti-Narcotic Law Will Effectively Help Combat Drug Problems (Voice of America)

United Nations Third Committee, Item 104: Laos, International Drug Control (UN.int)

Malaysia

Long jail sentences and heavy fines are mandatory for suspects caught with controlled substances, and the death penalty is prescribed for drug traffickers. the law presumes you are trafficking in drugs if you're caught in possession of at least half an ounce of heroin or at least seven ounces of marijuana.

Criminal Penalties – Malaysia (US Department of State)

Philippines

The law prescribes the death penalty for drug traffickers caught with at least 0.3 ounce of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana resin, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana. The Philippines has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty, but drug offenders are still punished harshly if caught – the minimum sentence is 12 years in prison for possession of.17 ounce of illegal drugs.

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 - Philippines (ASEANSEC.org)

Singapore

The Misuse of Drugs Act is very strict – persons caught with at least half an ounce of heroin, at least 1 ounce of morphine or cocaine, or at least 17 ounces of marijuana are presumed to be trafficking in drugs, and face a mandatory death penalty. 400 people were hanged for drug trafficking in Singapore between 1991 and 2004.

Misuse of Drugs Act of 1973 - Singapore (ASEANSEC.org)

Separating fact from fiction, despite a deep sense of human compassion: the Singaporean High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Australia explains Singapore's harsh stance against drug offenders, in the light of the death penalty imposed on Australian citizen Nguyen Tuong Van

Thailand

In Thailand, the law prescribes the death penalty for carrying category I narcotics (heroin) "for the purpose of disposal". The death penalty for drug trafficking has not been imposed since 2004, but rehabilitation counselling is often imposed on convicted drug users.

Narcotics Act B.E. 2552 - Thailand (ASEANSEC.org)

Vietnam

Vietnam strictly enforces its drug laws. As prescribed by Article 96a and Article 203 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code, possession of heroin in quantities larger than 1.3 pounds gets you a mandatory death sentence. In 2007, 85 people were executed for drug related offenses.

Article 96A and Article 203 of the Vietnam Criminal Code (VN National Legal Database)

If you combine all of the above executions for drug traffickers you'll find no comparison to China. I would even go as far and say Chinas executions of petty thieves or just the ones deemed insubordinate, would out way the other countries by the thousands.

Edited March 31, 2011 by sjr09

[lostinblue 1,989]

Singapore 'tops execution league'

The city-state is both safe and tough on crime

Singapore has the world's highest per capita execution rate, according to a report by Amnesty International.

The report said the Asian city-state, which has a population of four million, had hanged more than 400 prisoners in the last 13 years.

The rate is three times that of Saudi Arabia, the next country on the list.

The report urges Singapore to impose an immediate moratorium on executions, to end secrecy and encourage public debate about the death penalty.

Entitled The Hidden Toll of Executions, it says the government does not normally publish statistics about executions, and it is not known how many prisoners are on death row.

By carrying out high numbers of executions, Singapore is going against global trends towards abolition of the death penalty

Amnesty statement

"It is high time for the government to seriously re-consider its stance claiming that the death penalty is not a human rights issue," a statement by the human rights organisation said.

"By imposing death sentences and carrying out high numbers of executions, Singapore is going against global trends towards abolition of the death penalty," it added.

The report says that in Singapore marginalised and vulnerable members of society often fall prey to the death penalty.

It singles out drug addicts, many of whom are hanged after being found in possession of relatively small quantities of drugs.

It is often addicts and minor dealers who are hanged rather than those behind the trafficking, it says.

If china has a population of over a billion people you would have a large number vs large ratio.

Drugs destroy a lot of peoples lives and the governments handle it as they see fit.

[sjr09 155]

"Singapore tops the execution league" 400 in 13 years is rubbish compared to China

The People's Republic of China executes the highest number of people annually, although other countries (such as Iran or Singapore) have higher execution rates per capita

Edited March 31, 2011 by sjr09

[sjr09 155]

"Singapore tops the execution league" 400 in 13 years is rubbish compared to China

The People's Republic of China executes the highest number of people annually, although other countries (such as Iran or Singapore) have higher execution rates per capita

China Executions Still Lead Those of All Other Countries Combined, Rights Group Says

By REUTERS

Published: March 28, 2011

LONDON (Reuters) — China is believed to have put to death thousands of people in 2010, the human rights group Amnesty International said Monday. The estimate dwarfs the number of recorded executions in other countries, which the group says dropped from 714 in 2009 to at least 527 last year.

The group said, as it has in past years, that China, which classifies executions as state secrets, was thought to have executed far more people than the rest of the world combined

http://www.nytimes.c...nesty.html?_r=1