2 Filipinos in Vietnam get death penalty

By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief

MANILA β€” Two Filipinos have been recently meted with death penalty in Vietnam for drug trafficking, the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi confirmed.

Emmanuel Sillo Camacho, 39, was found guilty of transporting 3.4 kilograms of cocaine into Vietnam.

On the other hand, Donna Buenagua Mazon, 39, was earlier sentenced to death in Ho Chi Minh City after being caught with 1.5 kilograms of cocaine in December 2013.

The two Filipinos have been extended necessary assistance, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose said.

β€œJail visits have been conducted in the case of the male Filipino, and a private lawyer was hired,” Jose said in a press briefing at the DFA headquarters in Pasay City.

β€œWe assure the families of the two Filipinos that we continue to monitor the developments,” he said. β€œWe continue to extend legal assistance.”

Currently, 805 drug trafficking cases in Vietnam involve Filipinos, Jose disclosed.

β€œThese include death sentences, life imprisonments and term imprisonments, but all are drug-related,” he said.

There are 81 Filipinos on death row in Vietnam, 45 of these cases are also drug-related./PN