Ten Filipino “drug mules” have been sentenced to “death without reprieve” in China.

Their cases are “awaiting final review before the People’s Supreme Court in Beijing, the court of last resort before the judgment becomes final and executory, according to Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr.
Sixty-three others, also facing drug-related charges, were also meted death penalties, but “with a chance of reprieve.”
“If they show good behavior while in jail and evidence of such good behavior is verified, there is a possibility of commutation of their sentence to a lower penalty—life imprisonment or a jail term of not less than 15 years,” Conejos told a news conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Friday.
Conejos, who is undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs, said “there is still hope for our kababayans who are facing the death penalty in China.”
“We urge them to work on the possible reduction of their sentence from death penalty to life imprisonment by showing good behavior. If a detainee does not show good behavior while in jail, the execution of the death penalty is imposed after a two-year period upon the approval of the People’s Supreme Court in Beijing,” the said.
According to Conejos, China “strictly imposes tough penalties against persons caught in possession of prohibited drugs.”