12 July 2011 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its appeal to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggages or in their person when going abroad in exchange for money, as harsh penalties await them in their destinations.

This is after the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai reported that two Filipinos earlier meted the death with two-year reprieve sentences had their penalties commuted to life imprisonment by the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court for their good behavior and performance in prison.

The two Filipinos, a male and a female,  were apprehended in Hangzhou, China on 27 and 25 October 2008, respectively.

The Filipinos were carrying over 1,200 grams of heroin in their luggage.

Under Chinese criminal law, a person caught in possession of more than 50 grams of illegal drugs could be sentenced to death, if convicted.

The Philippine Government has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries on efforts against anti-drugs trafficking. It is undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the drug mules issue and to prevent the further victimization of Filipinos by international drug syndicates.

The DFA has been working closely with other concerned agencies on drug trafficking cases.  END