According to Malacañang, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and China are top countries with Filipinos facing death row, 24, 28, 21 Philippine nationals, respectively.
The total of 88 Filipinos facing death penalty is also contributed by two in the United States and one each in Indonesia, Kuwait, and Thailand as cited Sunday from the report of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
However, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., as reported in Inquirer, said that ‘no case is imminent for execution.
“All death penalty cases are either already given a reprieve or are on appeal,” Coloma said in a text message sent to Inquirer.
“The death penalty with a two-year reprieve could be commuted to life imprisonment for good behavior,” said Coloma, quoting Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Charles Jose.
Meanwhile, according to Coloma, Malacañang directed all Philippine embassies and consulates to extend all the necessary help to Filipinos on death row.
“On the preventive side, extensive education and information are conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment and its attached agencies in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency and other government media organizations,” Coloma said.
Coloma, on the rise of convicted Filipino abroad, said that a massive information and education campaign against drug and human trafficking was being conducted in the country’s regions and provinces to educate overseas Filipino workers (OFW) while they are still in the country.
The secretary also raised the need to increase awareness against human and drug trafficking syndicates, particularly an intensified information drive on the issue among OFWs and other Philippine nationals based abroad.
H/T: Inquirer.net; Photo lifted from Google