DFA Releases

Three Filipinas Sentenced to Long Jail Terms for Drug Trafficking

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 14:38
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12 January 2010 - The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong reiterated earlier warnings issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) calling on Filipinos traveling abroad not to be duped into serving as drug couriers.


This reminder came in the wake of last week's conviction and sentencing by the High Court of Hong Kong of three Filipinas to imprisonment of 14, 12, and eight years, respectively.


The first to be sentenced is a Filipina who was arrested by customs authorities at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on 20 February 2009.  She arrived from Malaysia carrying four books in her luggage, given to her by another Filipino who arranged her trip.  Authorities found that the books concealed 1.2 kilograms of a drug mixture that contained 750 grams of heroin.


The Filipina, who was represented by a Hong Kong law firm, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and will serve 14 years in jail.

Sentenced to 12 years in prison by the High Court is another Filipina who arrived from Malaysia on 10 June 2009.  She was arrested at HKIA after authorities found in her luggage 380 grams of heroin.  The drugs were hidden inside the buttons of 16 pieces of clothing.


The Filipina was reportedly offered US$1,000 by a compatriot based in Malaysia to bring the items to Hong Kong.  The court handed down the sentence following her guilty plea.


Also sentenced by the High Court to eight years in jail after pleading guilty is a Filipina arrested for drug trafficking at HKIA on 1 June 2009.  The subject was found with about 260 grams of cocaine kept inside her body.


Upon her arrest, the Filipina was immediately brought to a hospital where small plastic packets containing the drugs were extracted.  She was also represented by a Hong Kong law firm.


Like most countries, Hong Kong considers drug trafficking a very serious offense.  Under Hong Kong law, drug traffickers face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to HK$5,000,000 (approximately US$650,000).



The Consulate General has recommended the enhancement of cooperative efforts between Philippine security officials and their counterparts in other jurisdictions so that action can be taken to prevent Filipinos from becoming part of the drug trade.  END

 

RP to Host Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue in March

Monday, 11 January 2010 00:00
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11 January 2010 – The Philippines will host the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development on March 16-18.
 
Originally scheduled for 1-3 December 2009, the Ministerial Meeting was postponed to a later date so that the Philippine Government could concentrate on relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of two devastating cyclones that struck the country in the latter part of 2009.
 
As of January, more than 40 NAM countries have already confirmed their participation in the conference. The Philippines expects more countries to send high-level delegations to the Ministerial Meeting in view of the number of inquiries and feedback it has been receiving.
 
The Ministerial Meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila. A one-day Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) will be held on March 16 2010 to finalize the conference’s draft outcome document.
 
The convening of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting is consistent with the Sharm El Sheikh Declaration by NAM Heads of State or Government to ‘identify and pursue necessary measures and contribute positively in further promoting dialogue of civilizations, culture of peace and interfaith dialogue’.
 
At the 15th Summit of NAM in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on 15-16 July 2009, the Heads of State or Government and Heads of Delegations issued a "call for an active participation and engagement of all NAM members in the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development to be held in Manila, Philippines on the initiative of the Government of the Philippines.”
 
The Philippines considers that intercultural and interfaith dialogue policy framework paves the way for the coming together of people of different cultures and faiths to build, through dialogue and action, a shared environment of peace and security based on mutual understanding, trust and respect.
 
 
 
The Philippines has been leading international initiatives on interfaith dialogue and has hosted three global events on the subject matter since 2005. These are: the Philippines' successful chairing of the First Informal Meeting of World Leaders on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace in the United Nations in September 2005; the hosting of the Second Dialogue on Regional Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, Development and Human Dignity on March 2006 in Cebu; and the launching and chairmanship of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace. END

 
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