Senators: Execution of 3 Pinoys calls for self-examination

The execution of the three Filipinos convicted for drug trafficking in China is the perfect time for the government and the policymakers to reexamine what leads Filipinos to seek better opportunities abroad, senators said Wednesday. “As a nation, we grieve for the loss of our kababayans who were executed in China today. But along with our sympathies to their families and loved ones, we must also look into the circumstances that have brought about the situation," Sen. Pia Cayetano said. In a statement, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the government should “modernize" the country’s economy so that Filipinos would not opt to work abroad. “Hindi sana nangyari ito kung hindi na nila kinailangan pang sumugal sa kapalaran sa ibang bansa (This wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t need to seek better employment opportunities abroad)," he said in a statement. Pangilinan urged the authorities to go after “heartless" illegal recruiters, corrupt immigration officials, and drug traffickers who he said “operate with impunity" in the country.

“The bigger issue facing us is an inept justice system and an economy that cannot support its population. Let this be our motivation to give our people what they truly deserve: a just and progressive Philippines," he said. Sen. Francis Escudero, for his part, said Filipinos should also learn to be careful should they still choose to try their luck overseas. “Let this be a painful lesson to Filipinos, for them to be more careful and not to allow themselves to be used this way," he said in a separate statement. Escudero said the government should ensure that each Filipino charged for any crime abroad will be given the best legal assistance available to make sure that his or her rights will be protected. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said the government should conduct a high-level information campaign to inform overseas Filipino workers about the dangers in a specific country of destination. According to Cayetano, chairman of the Senate committee on youth, women, and family relations, in China alone, there are around 70 more Filipinos facing execution for drug-related offenses. She said that there are a hundred more on death row in other countries. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News