Executed Filipino drug mule’s kin seeks privacy in ‘traumatic time’

MANILA, Philippines – The family of one of three Filipino drug mules who was executed in China on March 30 has asked media “to refrain from contacting us during this traumatic time.”

In a statement coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs, GhingGhing Batain, sister of Elizabeth Batain, said, “This constant harassment is a serious invasion of our privacy.”

“We are not celebrities. We are just human beings and you must respect that we need to be left alone as a family to express our grief. This is not helping us to overcome such a tragic loss,” said Batain.

Calling her sister a “victim of these circumstances”, Batain said that instead of focusing on her family, media should “use all their energies in informing the public of the modus operandi of the syndicates who are responsible for the cruel use of vulnerable Filipinos as drug couriers.”

Batain said that she and her family would want “to move on” and “to let her [Elizabeth] go even if we didn’t gain any justice for her.”

“Please convey to all concerned especially to media to focus and to face major problems in our country. We reiterate that we do not allow anybody from the press, radio or any TV network to publish pictures or information relating to my sister’s burial, or any other members of our family,” she said.

Elizabeth Batain, along with Sally Ordinario Villanueva and Ramon Credo, was executed in China through lethal injection after being found guilty of transporting illegal drugs into the country.