3 Chinese get life for 7 kilos of shabu

MANILA, Philippines - Three Chinese were meted life sentences nearly two years after they were caught during a drug bust in Parañaque, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported yesterday.

Sunxiao Xu, alias William Chua; Wenxian Hong, alias Andy Hong; and Xiu Qin Shi, alias Kim Sy, were convicted of possession of seven kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, and fined P3 million each, PDEA director general Jose Gutierrez Jr. said.

He added that Xu and Hong face two life terms after they were also found guilty of selling nearly half a kilo of shabu. Shi was cleared of drug pushing charges.

The three were arrested on April 18, 2010 during a buy-bust operation along Doña Soledad Avenue in Better Living, Parañaque.

Regional Trial Court Branch 259 Judge Danilo Suarez ordered Xu and Hong transferred to the New Bilibid Prison and Shi moved to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.