PHL reminds China-bound Pinoys vs. drug trafficking

The Philippine government on Tuesday warned Filipinos bound for China and its territories, including Hong Kong and Macau, against becoming drug mules.   The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou issued the reminder because of the continuing arrests of Filipinos for drug-smuggling in Hong Kong and Macau.   In a news release on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website, the Consulate noted at least two more Filipinos were arrested in Macau for alleged drug-trafficking last February 1.   According to the Consulate General, the four Filipinos arrested in Hong Kong from July to November 2011 were bound for Guangzhou and Guangxi, where the penalty in case of conviction for drug smuggling is death.  Last year, four Filipino nationals were executed in mainland China — three in March and one in December.   "In the event of arrest, the laws and legal procedures of China will apply. Filipinos who will be arrested for drug-smuggling in China will suffer the penalties imposed by the Chinese courts," the DFA quoted the Consulate General as saying.   The Consulate appealed anew to Filipinos to heed the call of the Philippine government not to risk their lives for any offer of money by international drug syndicates.   "Indeed, the Philippine government's effort to protect its nationals abroad is a foremost concern. However, this responsibility is necessarily shared with every Filipino who should always consider their own safety while abroad," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News