VP Binay delivers appeal letter to Chinese Embassy

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday personally delivered to the Chinese Embassy the letter of President Benigno Aquino III to Premiere Hu Jin Tao asking for the commutation of the death sentence of a Filipino set to be executed in China on December 8.

 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Office of the Vice President said Binay arrived at the Chinese Embassy in Makati City at around 1:15 pm and was welcomed by charges d affaires Bai Tian, who received Aquino's letter.

 

"We fully respect the laws of China and we are appealing to you on humanitarian grounds," Binay reportedly told Bai Tian.

 

The OVP said Bai Tian assured Binay that Aquino’s letter “would be immediately delivered to the concerned people.”

 

In his letter to the Chinese Premier, the OVP said Aquino cited humanitarian reasons for appealing the sentence.

 

“I wish to stress that my government fully respects the law of China. However, I am moved by compassion for the family of [the Filipino] who is appealing that he be given a second chance to reform himself,” Aquino said.

 

Binay, who is also presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) concerns, was supposed to leave for China to deliver the letter to the Chinese president.

 

However, the Chinese government said "it was unable to arrange his visit at this time."

 

The Filipino’s death sentence has been affirmed by the Guangxi High People’s Court and subsequently upheld by the Supreme People’s Court of China.

 

His family has requested that his name and province of origin be withheld from the media.  He is set to be executed on December 8.

 

Binay, however, said that he remains optimistic that the Filipino will not be executed next week.

 

"Hangga't di pa po nangyayari ang kinakatakutan natin ay mayroon pa po tayong pag-asa.  Dagdagan na lang po natin ang ating mga panalangin at may awa po ang Diyos," he said. - VVP, GMA News