Gov’t to provide legal aid to Filipina nabbed in Malaysia for alleged drug trafficking – Palace

July 25, 2019

Malacanang assured on Thursday that the government would provide free legal assistance to a Filipina who was arrested in Malaysia for alleged drug trafficking of 5.9 kilograms of shabu.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, said that if the evidence would prove that the woman was involved in drug trafficking, the Duterte administration would not tolerate it.

"But if evidence proves that she is deeply involved in drug trafficking, then we will let the law take its course," he said.

Malaysian authorities confiscated the illegal drugs from the 32-year old Filipina during a raid last Tuesday in a house in Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu.

The Duterte adminsitration has declared war against illegal drugs.

Over 5,000 individuals have been killed in the government's anti-drug operations since an intensified campaign has been launched in July 2016.

Panelo, also chief presidential legal counsel, said the government would provide the Filipina with free legal assistance to protect her rights as she is a Filipino citizen. 

"She could be an innocent courier and not a drug pusher or drug trafficker. If she is found guilty unfairly by the Malaysian court, then we can avail of legal remedies available under the Malaysian legal system to exonerate her," he said.

Reports said that the Filipina could face death sentence if found guilty of drug trafficking. Celerina Monte/DMS