Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on death row have been pardoned by the Malaysian government, Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Wednesday. In a post on his Twitter account, Binay thanked the Malaysian government for the gesture. Binay, however, did not give further details about the pardoned Filipinos.
Earlier on Tuesday Binay said the Philippine government will assist Eliza San Gabriel Resurreccion who was sentenced to death by hanging this week for trafficking 1,126.9 grams of cocaine at the Puduraya Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2009. Resurreccion, who has been in detention for the past three years since her arrest, stood in shock and covered her face with a white towel when the interpreter explained the court's decision.
In a news release, Binay, the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) affairs, said he instructed Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Ed Malaya to "extend all assistance" to San Gabriel. "The Ambassador has assured me that the Philippine embassy will assist Eliza in filing her appeal before the proper court," Binay said. "I ask everyone to pray for her, and I appeal once again to our kababayans to be more prudent if asked by strangers to carry their luggage," he added. Binay also urged Filipinos "not to be enticed by the promise of quick financial gain. It is not worth risking your liberty or life."
On his tweet on Wednesday, Binay also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak for a "productive talk." Meanwhile, the Malaysian premier said on his Twitter account he had a "fruitful discussion" with Binay but did not elaborate. "Met with (the) Vice President of (the) Philippines, Jejomar Binay in my office at (noon Tuesday). Fruitful discussion that will hopefully strengthen socio-economic ties," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Binay arrived in Malaysia on Sunday night to start an official working visit there. He led a Philippine delegation that included Philippine Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, other government officials, and a 24-member business delegation. Binay had been invited to be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Philippines-Malaysia Investment Partnership Forum on May 29. He was scheduled to have meetings with Foreign Minister Dato' Sri Anifah bin Haji Aman and Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato' Seri Mustapa Mohamed. Binay was also expected to pay a courtesy call on former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad.
Source: Interaksyon
