R.I.P - Batain, Ordinario, Credo

In a live television interview, Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay confirmed that Ramon Credo (aged 42), Elizabeth Batain (aged 38), and Sally Ordinario-Villanueva (aged 32) all died today by lethal injection at 11:56am local time, Wednesday. - Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/305190

These three Filipinos were accused of drug smuggling by Chinese authorities. Everyone knows that international drug trade is a grave crime. The severe case of the 3 Pinoys had been handled according to the law of China. Hence, Credo, Batain, and Ordinario were executed.

Last night, TV Patrol declared the execution would put in effect. However, hope was still in me. I was keeping my fingers crossed that China would change their decision. I prayed with all my heart before I slept. I even posted my prayers on my twitter and plurk accounts.

I woke up this afternoon in a very good mood. As I turned on the television, news about the death penalty welcomed me. I suddenly felt weak. Tears fell down. I saw the relatives exploded in anguished cries. I felt empathy for them. Pain was in their hearts. And I experienced that as well. But after I cried, I realized something...

Yes! China's law stated the majority of executions are for cases of either aggravated murder or drug trafficking. But what if the accused was only a victim? Like what 3 Pinoys went through. They carried baggage given by their recruiters without even knowing that those were heroin. Perhaps they accepted the baggage because they trusted the recruiter whom they believed, gave them a chance to work abroad. They were actually the victims here, not the culprit. This was another frame-up case!

And one more thing, many Chinese were reported drug dealers/users in the Philippines. Some even built their  drug factories in our own land. And we would simply deport them. Now, I think it's unfair! If another Chinese in the country would be charged with drug possession/trafficking... Deportation is not enough! Why not perform lethal injection?!

But of course, I don't want that to happen. I don't want anyone to suffer this kind of penalty. How I wish Chinese could have been considerate enough not put them to death. Kill them if the four kilograms of heroin really came from them or was intentionally brought by them. These Pinoys opted to go to China with good intentions. They wanted to earn living for their family. They wanted to get rid of poverty. And this is what they got... Death.

I now accept their death. I convinced myself to be just happy for them because they are now with God.

Sally Ordinario, Ramon Credo, & Elizabeth Batain

"Death is only passing through God's other door."

- Edgar Cayce -

May you rest in peace.