Aquino calls nation to unite in prayer for three Filipinos facing death in China

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on all Filipinos to unite in offering prayers in hopes that top officials of the People’s Republic of China (PROC) would grant clemency to the three Filipinos in the death row for drug-related cases.

 

In a media briefing at the Palace Friday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed the appeal of the President to the nation in efforts to push for the reprieve of his countrymen facing death penalty in China.

 

“The entire Filipino nation is united in appealing for leniency before the top officials of the PROC, so that our countrymen meted out with the death penalty may be granted clemency”, the Chief Executive’s statement read.

 

“May I call on all Filipinos, led by our religious leaders of all faiths to unite ourselves in prayer beginning today at sundown, at the pealing of the bell for the Angelus or during the most quiet and meditative times consistent with our respective faiths”, it added.

 

President Aquino assured that the government is exerting all possible efforts – the latest of which was his appeal to the President of China and the trip of Vice President Jejomar Binay to personally make an appeal as the three Filipinos await a most desired action: Stay the execution.

 

The government’s hope stemmed from an earlier success when it incessantly appealed to the leadership of China that resulted to the reprieve of Filipinos Myrna San Pedro and Estela Capunong.

 

The government publicly thanked China’s leaders for tempering justice with mercy holding the belief that it has found a soft spot in the hearts of Chinese ranking officials.

 

The President expressed high hopes that consolidated prayers will soar to the heavens to touch the heart of God – the God who “will make a way where there seems to be no way”.

 

At seven this morning, Vice President Binay left for China onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR358 bound for Beijing in a last ditch effort to save the lives of the three Filipinos there.

The Vice President, upon instructions of the President, will formally make his plea with the Chinese government for the reprieve.

"As instructed by President Aquino, I leave this morning for Beijing to appeal for clemency for our three kababayans on death row." VP Binay said in his pre-departure statement.