30 March 2012 :

a court in China handed down the death sentence to two Filipinos caught smuggling illegal drugs into the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. “Two Filipinos, a male and a female, were sentenced to death by the Hangzhou People's Intermediate Court,” DFA Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said. The names of the Filipinos were not disclosed. The two were caught with about 12 kilos of heroin at the Hangzhou International Airport in Zhejiang province in eastern China last January 25, 2011. The DFA said the two entered China from Dubai via Hong Kong. The DFA added the male defendant was given a two-year reprieve while the female was not. “The Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai will assist them in their appeal before a higher tribunal,” Hernandez said adding, “the two were given legal assistance throughout their trial.” Hernandez said the two Filipino's relatives have written appeal letters which will be sent to Chinese authorities.