DFA hails DOJ advisory on drug trafficking

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the issuance by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of an advisory opinion on drug trafficking.

This as the DFA lauded the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for Tuesday’s arrest of two members of a West African drug syndicate in Quezon City.

It said the DOJ advisory “is most helpful in the Philippine government’s information and awareness campaign on drug smuggling and the victimization of Filipinos as drug couriers.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the advisory opinion, issued on April 29, “seeks to explain to the public the issues surrounding the recruitment, arrest, detention and conviction in foreign countries of Filipinos who are caught transporting illegal drugs.”

The advisory opinion outlined 10 recommended points for the Filipino public. These are the following:

1. Carry at your own risk.
2. Knowledge is immaterial and intent is not a requirement in drug trafficking.
3. Be vigilant of the modus operandi of drug courier syndicates.
4. In the unfortunate event of arrest or detention for drug trafficking, have presence of mind and do not resist arrest.
5. Assert your legal rights, inquire on the legal remedies and request for consular assistance.
6. Presumption of innocence will always apply.
7. The laws of country of arrest apply.
8. If sentenced, the government can only be of limited assistance.
9. “Blood money” cannot be paid to erase the liability of a person convicted of a crime involving illegal drugs.
10. Take full responsibility of your actions.

De Lima stressed that it is not a valid legal defense that the carrier of a package did not know it contains illegal drugs or that he had no intention to commit a crime.

She said the Philippine government could only offer limited assistance to arrested persons, adding that Manila could not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

“The best the government can do for you is to assist in protecting your rights and arranging your legal defense. Outside of this, the government cannot insist that you be given a different treatment than that which the laws of other countries provide,” said De Lima.

The DFA advised Filipinos to be vigilant when travelling overseas.

“They should not agree to carry any packages or luggage for strangers, even supposed friends or employers, or consent to carry packages in exchange for money. Our people can take fuller responsibility for their actions by always being on guard against such inducements,” the DFA said.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Samuel Egbo and South Korean Choi Yunji were arrested Tuesday for selling 0.5 kilograms of cocaine worth $58,140 to a narcotics agent posing as a buyer Tuesday in Quezon city. Both claimed innocence.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Jose Gutierrez said Egbo was involved in the recruitment of Filipino drug couriers, including Elizabeth Batain, who along with two other Filipinos, was executed in China in March for heroin smuggling.

Agency spokesman Derrick Carreon said the syndicate operates around the world, recruiting couriers from various countries. He said the Nigerian suspect is based in Thailand. With The Associated Press