Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady told members of the Filipino community during their annual Christmas party in December 6 that Chinese syndicates continue to use Pinoys to smuggle illegal drugs into China.

 

"Despite repeated warnings by the Philippine government, our kababayans continue to be victimized by these drug syndicates with wide network operations in various parts of Asia," she told at least 400 members of the Filipino community.

 

Brady said there are 183 Filipinos, mostly women, languishing in various jails in China due to drug trafficking.

 

"Since 2007, 48 Filipinos have been imposed the death penalty and 26 have received a life sentence for carrying narcotic drugs into China. I, therefore, urge Filipinos to resist any offer of financial reward from these syndicates for carrying prohibited drugs to China or to any other country in the world," she added.

 

Among those arrested in 2009 alone, 7 have been imposed the death penalty, 7 were meted life sentence, while another 5 received a sentence of at least 15 years’ imprisonment.

 

In 2008, 111 Filipinos - almost all of whom are women - were arrested for drug-related offenses in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, a 594-percent increase compared to the 16 Filipinos arrested in 2007.

 

Among those arrested in 2007 and 2008, 41 have been imposed the death penalty, 19 were meted life sentence, while another 11 received a sentence of at least 15 years’ imprisonment.

 

"In China, drug trafficking of 50 grams or more of highly dangerous drug like heroin maybe punishable by 15 years in prison, life imprisonment or death," Brady said.

 

On Saturday, Agence France-Presse reported that 5 arrested Filipino transvestites were ordered jailed for up to 13 years. They reportedly lure foreign men from bars in Shanghai before drugging and then robbing them of their valuable items.