The Philippine Online Chronicles

China turned down Vice President Jejomar Binay’s request for a mercy mission for a 35-year-old Filipino who is now on death row.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday that the Chinese government is firm in the execution of the unnamed convict.

"The verdict of the Supreme People's Court of China is final and executory and it will do everything to assist the family of the convicted Filipino national," the DFA said.

The convict, who asked for his anonymity, was allegedly caught smuggling 1.5 kilograms of heroin into China in September 2008. He is set to be executed on Thursday.

DFA added in a statement, “We have also been informed that the Chinese side is unable to arrange the visit of Vice President (Jejomar) Binay to China at this time. We respect the Chinese law and the verdict of the Supreme People’s Court.”

But Binay said he is optimistic that “Beijing has not totally closed its doors.”

“As far as the judicial process is concerned, the decision is deemed final. But we are pursuing our appeal on humanitarian grounds, and the passionate plea of the family for compassion,” he said.

Palace still supports Binay in his endeavor, saying that they are confident that China will eventually allow the vice president to visit the convict.

“We are hoping that he (Binay) can leave and will be given a schedule (to meet with Chinese authorities in Beijing,” presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

“The government is really working to have a positive outcome from this situation. Even the President had written (Chinese President Hu Jintao), all the remedies available to us are being exhausted and we are really still hopeful. We remain hopeful that something good will come out (of these efforts),” Valte said.

Inquirer reported that four family members of the convicted Filipino are scheduled to visit him in China, but the date of departure is yet to be announced.

According to Philippine Star, Binay also went to China last February to save three Filipino drug mules. He was able to defer the execution but China still executed Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain by lethal injection a month later.

Amnesty International (AI) is also calling for the deferment of the execution.

AI Philippines director Aurora Parong said, “We express serious concern that China scheduled another execution of a person convicted of a nonlethal crime such as drug trafficking which contravenes international law.”

“We call on our government to apply stricter rules on drugs within the country and the airports and generate more decent jobs so that Filipinos will have options to earn income for their families. We call on President Aquino to convince leaders of neighboring countries, particularly in Asia, to take efforts towards the abolition of the death penalty—this will be a great legacy in human rights,” Parong said, emphasizing that the Philippines also has a hand in the proliferation of drug trafficking crimes committed by Filipinos abroad.