MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Chinese government agreed on Thursday to allow Vice-President Jejomar Binay to visit Beijing to lobby for a stay in the execution of 3 Filipino drug mules.
The Philippine embassy in Beijing informed Binay regarding China’s decision, his spokesman said.
Binay will meet with the president of China’s Supreme People's Court and the Chinese executive vice foreign minister on Saturday, the Department of Affairs (DFA) said.
He will leave for Beijing at 7:15 a.m. Friday
"In receiving Vice-President Binay, the Chinese government took into serious consideration the sentiments of President Benigno Aquino III and the Filipino people," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said.
The visit aims to reaffirm the close friendship between Philippines and China, and manifest the common resolve of both countries to address the drug menace, he added.
Binay had been hopeful that Beijing will be convinced to set a stay in the execution of the 3 Filipinos found guilty of smuggling drugs to the mainland.
“If I were to take that optimistic opinion, baka puwede pa sa darating araw,” he told TV Patrol in an interview Thursday night.
“Umasa pa tayo, baka puwede pa.”
He added that the government is using official and informal channels to appeal for a stay in the execution
“Hangga't di pa nangyayari ang Lunes at Martes, sige lang,” he said. “Dagdagan pa natin ng dasal.”
Meantime, a majority of TV Patrol viewers believe that China is justified in imposing the death penalty on 3 Pinoy drug mules.
In a text poll, 71% of viewers agreed with the ruling while only 29% opposed it.
Around 10,000 people took part in the text poll.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
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