Three filipinos death executed In China

Chinese government confirmed last night that the execution would carry out today for the three OFWs; Ramon Credo, Elizabeth Batain and Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, ignoring the last minute plea for mercy by the Philippine government.

In strict accordance with the Chinese law, the Chinese judicial authorities’ verdict is final. “We are hoping for the Philippine side to understand,” said Sun Yi, Chinese embassy spokesman.

The Chinese government and the Philippine consular officials will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives for their visits to the convicted and other related matters,” he said.

Earlier, the officials said “It comes to the point that we resigned to the fate of the three convicts.”

“Not because that I know of,” said Albert del Rosario acting Foreign Affairs Secretary when he was asked if there are words from Beijing to the Philippines, the last minute plea for a stay of execution of the three convicted Ordinario-Villanueva, Credo and Batain.

“We’ve been trying all the best we can do, but in some point I think we have to accept the fact that the sentence is finality,” told Del Rosario to the reporters.

In fact, President Aquino had written three times to the Chinese President Hu Jintao seeking ‘grant a stay of execution’ for the three Filipinos. This was on top of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s own initiative to convince Beijing to spare the three Filipinos from death, Del Rosario said.

Francisco Benedicto the ‘Philippine Ambassador to Beijing’ was very busy in making representations with the people in authority in the Chinese government, said Del Rosario.

“We deeply sympathize with them-to their families and the DFA will be holding a Mass here today,” added Del Rosario.

The three Filipino was convicted in the same case of smuggling illegal drugs. Villanueva, 32-year old, was convicted for smuggling heroin of 4,110-grams on December 24, 2008, and four days later, Credo, 42-year old, for a slightly bigger amount in smuggling heroin. Batain was sentenced to death on May 24 in the same year also for drug trafficking.

Eduardo Malaya, DFA spokesman said “The ‘Fujian Provincial Higher People’s Court’ have been allowed the families of Ordinario-Villanueva and Credo to visit them today from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Xiamen No. 1 Detention House.