Duterte, Cambodian PM unlikely to discuss drug trafficking case of 9 Filipinos

President Rodrigo Duterte. AP FILE PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte might not raise the case of nine Filipinos detained in Cambodia for drug trafficking, a Philippine envoy said on Tuesday.

He said Duterte and Prime Minister Hun Sen would probably not talk about the case since their bilateral meeting will focus on national security, defense, tourism and sports.

READ: Plight of Filipino convicts in Cambodia may not be on Duterte agenda

Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher Montero told reporters there that the nine Filipinos may face prison time from 20 to 30 years or they can be freed on parole after seven to 10 years before being repatriated to the Philippines.

Five of them are women caught smuggling cocaine from countries like Brazil into Cambodia.

Montero assured the public that the embassy is closely monitoring their cases and making sure that they are taken care of. “We visit them regularly…(and) provide them personal care items,” he said.

Duterte will be in Cambodia from Tuesday to Wednesday. TVJ