Filipino woman sentenced to death for trafficking heroin in Indonesia

2010-10-28 03:57:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Filipino woman was sentenced to death on Wednesday for trafficking heroin in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Manila Times reported.

The Filipino woman, whose name is being held for privacy reasons, was arrested on April 25 at Audisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta by Customs authorities. Authorities said that she was found in possession of 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin.

"The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta has extended assistance to the Filipino mule through jail visitations and is coordinating with her lawyer for the appeal," the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The woman was sentenced to death on October 11, despite the state prosecutor's petition for life imprisonment. The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs has contacted the relatives of the woman in Philippines.

DFA has claimed that the woman is the latest individual used as drug mules and has been warning Filipinos about the harsh sanctions imposed by Indonesia and other countries (such as China) on foreigners dealing in illegal substances.

"We warn our countrymen from carrying drugs when traveling overseas and especially not to accept packages which they suspect contain drugs, and also to be wary of the modus operandi being used by drug-trafficking syndicates," said Esteban Conejos Jr., Foreign Affairs department undersecretary for migrant affairs. "If they are caught, they will face very dire circumstances."

Conejos Jr. added that the Philippines is currently undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the drug-mules issue and prevent further victimization of Filipinos by drug-dealing organizations.

Currently, there are 112 overseas Filipino workers facing the death penalty in foreign countries. From this number, 16 involve individuals charged with murder, murder with robbery, blasphemy and drug trafficking. In China, there are 76 Filipinos convicted on drug-related charges.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-28

People held for 'blasphemy'...remind me to never visit that backwards nation.

The article does not mention what "backwards" country they are all banged up in. Could well be an arab state as a lot of filipinos work there. I don't think Indonesia is backwards for wanting to to be harsh on someone carrying that much Heroin.