Another Filipina nabbed overseas for drug trafficking

MANILA, Philippines—Another Filipina was arrested abroad, this time in Indonesia, for allegedly smuggling over a kilo of heroin into the country which is known to execute drug traffickers, the Department of Foreign Affairs said as it reiterated its appeal to Filipinos traveling overseas not to be duped by drug syndicates.

The DFA said the woman was apprehended on April 3 by the Indonesian Customs and Excise Officers at the Adi Sumarmo Airport in Solo, Central Java for possession of 1.193 kilo of “class I” heroin.

She was arrested upon her arrival there via Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the DFA said.

On interrogation by the local police, it was learned she was sent to Indonesia by another Filipino “who is a member of an international drug syndicate” in exchange for $8,000.

In explaining why the agency was withholding the name of the woman, Assistant Foreign Secretary J. Eduardo Malaya, also the agency’s spokesman, said Friday that the “DFA does not typically release the names of suspected drug mules or others in similar circumstances.”

He said that “notwithstanding the often grave nature of the accusations, the individual is in the early stages of the criminal investigation and entitled to privacy to a certain extent.”

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta was providing assistance to the Filipino to “ensure that her rights are respected.”

The agency repeated its appeal to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggage or in their person when going abroad in exchange for money.

“The Philippine government has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries on efforts against anti-drugs trafficking,” the DFA said.

“It is undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the drug mules issue and to prevent the further victimization of Filipinos by international drug syndicates,” it added.

In most Muslim countries, including Indonesia, drug trafficking is punishable by death, the DFA said.

Barely two weeks ago, three Filipino drug couriers died by lethal injection in China after the Chinese government rejected appeals for clemency by Philippine officials.

There are 73 other Filipinos in China who were meted death penalties with two-year reprieves. In China, drug trafficking of 50 grams or more of illegal drugs is punishable by 15 years in prison, life imprisonment or death.