Binay heads for Beijing

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay will fly to Beijing this weekend to hand-carry President Aquino’s letter requesting his Chinese counterpart to spare the life of a convicted Filipino drug mule set to be executed in China in the next few days.

Binay made known his China mission to reporters after administering the oath of office to Senators-elect Nancy Binay, his daughter, and Gregorio Honasan at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City Friday.

“As I stated earlier, I was very sure the President would send a letter. The part (about) if I would be the one to go … that’s what we were waiting for. And now, I was told 30 minutes ago that I will be going, that I would be the one to deliver the President’s personal letter,” Binay said.

Asked what were the chances that the execution would be deferred, Binay replied, “It’s hard to speculate. There are many factors. Let’s just wait and see. Let’s just continue praying. On my part, I always present myself to be an optimist, so let’ see. We in government have to do something to save the life of a fellow Filipino. This is an overseas Filipino worker, who, if she committed any crime, became an OFW out of necessity.”

Binay also reiterated the government’s warning to Filipinos planning to go abroad not to carry illegal drugs, a crime punishable by death in many countries, such as China.