Plight of Filipino convicts in Cambodia may not be on Duterte agenda
PHNOM PENH — There are nine Filipinos who are serving sentences in Cambodia for involvement in drug trafficking, but their plight might not be on President Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda when he meets with Prime Minister Hun Sen, according to Ambassador Christopher Montero.
“As far as I know, it may not be raised,” Montero told reporters here.
Montero said the convicted Filipinos are well-taken care of, with embassy officials visiting them every other month to provide them with personal care items. Five of them are women.
Cambodia has no death penalty, and there is a possibility that the convicted Filipinos may be eligible for parole after seven to 10 years of prison sentence, he said.
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The prison sentence for drug traffickers ranges from 20 to 30 years.
Most of the Filipino drug convicts were caught in the Cambodia airport with cocaine, he said.
Duterte is scheduled to arrive in Cambodia Tuesday night for a two-day state visit.
He is expected to discuss trade, regional defense and security issues, protection of Filipino-Cambodian migrant workers, and cultural and tourism cooperation with Hun Sen during their bilateral meeting. CDG
