Kin of Hongkongers sentenced to life in prison slam ‘unfair’ verdict

The guilty verdict of an Olongapo court that sentenced four Hongkongers to life imprisonment for possession of illegal drugs was too much to bear for their loved ones who hoped to hear better news on Friday.

On Jun Veneracion's report for "24 Oras," Wing Lam Leung, the daughter of one of the accused was emotional in saying: "It is really unfair. Really, really unfair. The four Hongkongers do nothing. They are really innocent."

Win Fai Lo, Shu Fook Leung, Kam Wah Kwok and Kwok Tung Chan were accused of manufacturing and possession of illegal drugs in July 2016, days after the discovery of a fishing vessel that allegedly housed drugs and drug paraphernalia, including a hydrogenator purportedly used for manufacturing drugs.

On Friday, the Regional Trial Court Branch 74 of Olongapo said the court has convicted the four for drug possession charges but were acquitted them of illegal drug manufacturing on the ground of reasonable doubt.

"Very saddened" by the verdict, the defense team of the accused said they will be filing a Motion for Reconsideration.

"We are very saddened. We believe that the evidence we presented should have been enough to convince the judge that the accused, all of the accused, are innocent," Atty. Seth Infante told GMA News.

The defense has maintained in court that the evidence against the accused had been planted.

Prosecutors said the conviction showed promise for the Philippine justice system and the campaign against illegal drugs.

"It shows that our criminal justice system is working and that the war against drugs must continue," Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News