DFA monitoring case of 6 Pinoys nabbed in New Jersey for drug possession

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is closely monitoring the case of six Filipinos arrested in New Jersey in the United States for alleged drug possession.   DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said on Tuesday that the agency is still waiting for an update from the Philippine consulate in New York on the status of the arrested Filipinos.   A Philippine Star report, citing the cable news station ANC, said three men and three women, all of Filipino descent, were arrested in a raid at a Jersey City home for allegedly possessing $15,000 (around P630,000) worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu.”   Last Sunday, Hernandez issued a statement saying that officials from the Philippine consulate will visit Hudson county sheriff’s office where the Filipinos were brought.   He added that the officials will meet with the concerned prosecutors to gather information on the alleged arrest.   Steer clear from drug deals   Last week, the DFA disclosed that nearly 80 Filipinos are on death row overseas, most of whom are facing execution because of drug charges committed in China.    Earlier, Malacañang had urged Filipinos bound for overseas work not to engage in drug-related situations.    In a radio interview on the government-run dzRB, 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'ng umasa na baka sakali mabigyan tayo, muli kayo'ng mabigyan ng reprieve," she said. "The solution partly to this is huwag tayong tatanggap ng packages na 'di natin alam ang laman, 'di natin kilala [kung] sino [ang] nagpadala."   In a separate interview, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: "Kung na-impose ang death penalty, karga ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kanilang problema." — Andreo Calonzo/R. A. Dioquino/VVP, GMA News