China death sentence on 3 Filipino drug mules goes ahead By Michaela P. del Callar 03/18/2011

China death sentence on 3 Filipino drug mules goes ahead

By Michaela P. del Callar 03/18/2011

China will proceed with the execution of three convicted Filipino drug smugglers whose death penalty sentences were postponed last month following an appeal from the Philippine government but said the decision is not related to a recent territorial dispute off the South China Sea.

News of China’s decision to go ahead with the executions came at a time when Aquino’s administration is grappling with an array of problems involving large numbers of Filipino workers who are trapped in raging conflicts in several Middle Eastern and North African countries or dealing with deadly disasters such as the earthquake catastrophes in Japan and New Zealand.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said the death sentences will be carried out “sooner or later.”

The Filipinos are to die by lethal injection but the final date of the execution has yet to be announced by China’s Supreme Court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110318hed2.html