Vice-President Jejomar Binay left early Friday for China in a last-ditch bid to save three Filipinos facing execution there for drug-related offenses. But before leaving, Binay appealed anew to the Filipino people for prayers to allow a "miracle" that will save the three from death row.
"As instructed by President (Benigno III) Aquino, I leave this morning for Beijing together with (Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Jr.) Conejos to appeal for clemency for our three kababayans on death row. Our embassy in Beijing informed me that this visit is a special consideration for the Philippines in view of the close friendship between our two countries and peoples" Binay said in a departure statement he read at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before leaving.
A report by radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad said Binay and Conejos' flight left at 7:15 a.m. aboard a Philippine Airlines PR-358 flight for Beijing. Initially, Binay was to leave Thursday for China, but his trip was delayed as the Chinese government at the time had not given its go-signal. The Chinese government gave its go-signal for Binay’s mission Thursday night. Binay said he learned of the go-signal about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. In his departure statement, he expressed sincere thanks to the Chinese government for accommodating the Philippine request to make this bid on behalf of the three Filipinos and their families. Binay brought with him a letter from President Aquino seeking clemency for the three. Binay said that while the government respects the decision of the Chinese courts and does not condone drug trafficking, he "sincerely believe(s) these Filipinos were merely victims of international drug syndicates."
"I carry with me the prayers of the Filipino people led by our President Aquino that clemency could be granted on humanitarian grounds," he said. Binay said he is scheduled to meet with the president of the Supreme People’s Court of China and other high-ranking Chinese officials in Beijing. "I likewise hope to discuss with the Chinese officials how China and the Philippines can further work together to address the drug menace. I hope that we will continue to pray for our kababayans and their families," he said. "As I always stated during the past few days, through prayers we hope for a miracle," he added.
Optimism, prayers In a series of radio interviews before leaving, Binay asked for prayers from Filipinos at home so his mission will succeed. "Hinihingi natin sa ating [mga] kababayan [na] dagdagan natin ang pagdarasal, harinawa may himala rito sa kaso ng ating kababayan (We ask our people for prayers so we can have a miracle)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. In a separate interview on dwIZ radio, Binay voiced optimism about his mission. "At least e nagkakaroon tayo ng lalong mahabang pagtitiwala na may chance na maganda (With this chance, I hope our chances of succeeding will be good)," he said. Convicts’ families to leave Saturday Conejos, for his part, said 10 relatives of the three convicts may be leaving for Beijing on Saturday. He said initially, only two relatives from each family were allowed to go, but President Aquino ordered that the rules be "relaxed." "President Aquino ordered that those who want to go can go, so about 10 relatives from the three families may leave on Saturday," he said in Filipino. — RSJ, GMA News
