Pinay drug courier to be executed in China next week

(UPDATED 2:40 p. m.) — A 35-year-old Filipina caught carrying at least six kilos of heroin in China in January 2011 is scheduled to be executed next week, according to a report of John Consulta on GMA Network's "News To Go" program on Thursday. In a press conference, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said the execution will take place anytime from June 27 to July 2. The DFA said the Filipina was with an unidentified man when she was arrested at an international airport in a province near Shanghai. “She was arrested with a male companion who was caught carrying 6.171 kilos of heroine in his own luggage,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said. In China, possession of 50 grams of drugs is grounds for the death penalty, usually carried out through lethal injection. PHL plea Meanwhile, the report said the Philippine government is planning to send Vice President Jejomar Binay to China to appeal for a lower sentence for the Filipina. In an interview with Pia Arcangel of GMA Network's "Balitanghali" program on Thursday, Binay said the family of the Filipina has contacted with the government. “Nakikipag-usap na [sila] sa DFA ang [huling] balita ko,” Binay said. He added that the government will also pay for all expenses of the family if they are allowed by China to visit their relative. Other Pinoys executed in China In March 2011, three Filipinos—Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain—were executed in China via lethal injection for possession of illegal drugs. Credo and Villanueva were executed in Xiamen, while Batain was executed in Guangzhou on March 30 that year. On May 24, 2008, Batain was caught smuggling 6,800 grams of heroin in Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Villanueva was caught on December 24 that year smuggling 4,110 grams of heroin in Xiamen, while Credo was caught four days later smuggling 4,113 grams of heroin in the same place. In December 2011, a 35-year-old Filipino was also executed in China for smuggling in 1.5 kilos of heroin. — Andrei Medina/Gian C. Geronimo/VVP, GMA News