DFA: Case of Pinay on Indonesia death row up for review

MANILA, Philippines - The execution of a Filipina on death row in Indonesia has been deferred as her case is still up for judicial review, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified yesterday.

“We are still waiting for the schedule of a hearing of the judicial review that we requested,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said.

The DFA made the clarification amid reports that the Filipina was among eight convicted drug smugglers who would be transferred to a prison island this week for execution.

Jose said the Philippines was taking note of the appeal earlier issued by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for Indonesia to stop the execution of convicts on death row.

“In line with our commitment as a signatory to the second optional protocol of the international covenant on civil and political rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty and in line with our mandate to safeguard the rights of our citizens overseas, the Philippines continues to exhaust all remedies available under Indonesian law to save the life of the Filipina,” Jose said.

Indonesia deferred the execution of the Filipina after the Philippine government filed a request for judicial review of her case on Feb. 3.

Jose said the Philippines continues to make representations with the Indonesian government at all levels for a review of the case.

The Filipina, who arrived in Jakarta as a tourist, was arrested for possession of heroin in 2010.

An Indonesian court convicted her of drug smuggling and sentenced her to death by firing squad.