Press Release No. 140-03
3 April 2003
RP CONTINUES
TO ASSIST IN BAGINDAH CASE
After obtaining a 30-day stay of execution for Filipino Andy Bagindah, the
Philippine government has not stopped rendering assistance in the case.
Mr. Andy Bagindah was found in possession of cannabis (in addition to firearms
and ammunition) in 1996 and, in legal procedures over the last several years
as monitored by the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur (situated 1,200 kilometers
away in Peninsular Malaysia), has since been convicted for drug trafficking
in Malaysia.
As they have from the beginning, Philippine Embassy officials are helping
the family in nearly everything – particularly in their father’s efforts
to have Andy’s sentence commuted to life. Even from the Philippine
end, Foreign Secretary Blas F. Ople has ordered the Department of Foreign
Affairs to help prepare Andy’s father’s travel documentation and even had
him brought over to Sabah to visit with his son and to pursue his appeal.
Malaysian authorities have said that only the family is able to undertake
this effort and so the government has to necessarily play a supporting role.
Meanwhile, in recent contacts with Andy himself, Philippine Embassy Charge
d’Affaires Luis T. Cruz portrays him as being calm and collected. Cruz
has also advised him to mind his behavior in prison so as not to jeopardize
his chances at commutation.
END