Gov’t bares prisoner swap bid with China By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2011

Gov’t bares prisoner swap bid with China

By Michaela P. del Callar 02/23/2011

The government is rushing to sign a transfer of sentenced persons agreements (TSPA) with China to repatriate three condemned Filipinos and 200 others in Chinese jails over drug trafficking in exchange for the release of Chinese in local jails for similar drug-related offenses.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it wants to finalize a prisoner swap agreement with China that would allow Filipinos jailed in that country on charges of drug trafficking to serve their sentences in the Philippines.

“We will do our best to conclude it at earliest time possible because it will not only benefit Filipinos but also Chinese in jail here,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said.

The Philippines initiated talks for a bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreements (TSPA) with China in
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Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110223hed5.html