3 Pinoy drug mules in China to be executed 'sooner or later'

MANILA, Philippines - Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said today that the executions of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) convicted of drug trafficking in China will be carried out soon.

"The verdict is the final verdict. The penalty will be carried out sooner or later and everything will be done in accordance with the law in China," Liu said in a roundtable discussion with reporters.

The Chinese ambassador said they are just waiting for the Supreme People's Court to schedule the execution of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, Elizabeth Batain and Ramon Credo, who have been convicted of drug trafficking.

Villanueva was apprehended for smuggling 4,110 grams of heroin on Dec. 24, 2008 in Xiamen, Credo was also nabbed in Xiamen for possession of 4,113 grams of heron on Dec. 28, 2008 and Batain was caught carrying 6,800 grams of heroin on May 24, 2008 in Shenzhen.

The executions of the three OFWs last month were deferred after Vice President Jejomar Binay met with top officials in China.

Liu said China's Supreme Court decided to defer the executions of the three Filipinos out of consideration of the Philippines' pleading.

"But that was done in accordance to Chinese laws. I would like to repeat that that is the final verdict," the Chinese ambassador said.

Liu said if the sentences are carried out, he hopes that Filipinos will respect the decision of the Chinese government and its high court.

He reiterated that the Chinese government is still looking forward to working with Philippine authorities to put a stop to drug smuggling in both countries.

"We should like to have cooperation with the Philippine government in working with China in working against drug activities and trafficking so that our two peoples will not be victimized in any sense," Liu said.