Palace urges Pinoys not to risk lives by becoming drug couriers

The Philippine government urged overseas-bound Filipinos not to risk their lives and fall for syndicates that offering money in exchange for acting as "drug couriers" or those who transport drugs to other countries.   In a radio interview on Sunday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine government will work to assist drug couriers caught abroad but it cannot guarantee their release.   “Huwag tayo umasa na bakasakali mabigyan tayo mauli kayo mabigyan ng reprieve. The solution partly to this is huwag tayo tatanggap ng packages na di natin alam ang laman di natin kilala sino nagpadala,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.   Earlier, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda reiterated the government’s appeal to Filipinos abroad not to let themselves be used as drug couriers, following the recent arrest of three Filipinos in Macau over drug-related charges.   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.   He urged Filipinos to be wary of people asking to put something in their luggage as they are about to board their flights.   “Kung na-impose ang death penalty karga ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kanilang problema. Sana matuto ang ating kababayan huwag magpagamit sa sindikato,” he added. Three Filipinos in Macau   At least three Filipinos are in hot water in Macau after being caught in a drug-related transaction there on 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 .   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. - VVP, GMA News