Pinoys abroad told anew: Don’t allow yourself to be used as drug mules

Malacañang over the weekend reiterated its appeal to Filipinos abroad not to let themselves be used as drug mules, following the recent arrest of three Filipinos in Macau over drug-related charges. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that while the government will continue to provide assistance to the three, it is wary of the prospect of more Filipinos being sentenced to death over drug charges. “Unang una sinabi na natin sa kanila huwag sila papagamit as drug mules. Having said that, we will continue to provide assistance to them ang nadakip ng Chinese authorities," he said on government-run dzRB radio. According to him, Filipinos about to board flights abroad must particularly be watchful of people asking to put something in their luggage. Lacierda also noted airport officials would always ask them if they personally packed everything in their luggage. “We condemn this habit by syndicates to use drug mules and we urge Filipinos to be very cautious and not be used by syndicates,” he said. “Kung na-impose ang death penalty karga ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kanilang problema. Sana matuto ang ating kababayan huwag magpagamit sa sindikato," he added. At least three Filipinos are now in hot water in Macau after being caught in a drug-related transaction there last February 1. The Philippine Consulate General in Macau said a Filipino man and a woman were arrested by the Judiciary Police in Macau for alleged drug trafficking. It said the two were arrested in an apartment with 46 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth 90,000 patacas (US$11,392.405). Drug paraphernalia were also found in the apartment, the DFA said. A third Filipino, a suspected buyer, was also taken in for questioning, it added. — LBG, GMA News