Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jul 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Joyce Pangco Panares
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

GOVT FEARS FOR LIFE OF FILIPINA 'MULE' WITH MOVIE STAR LOOKS

The government now fears for the life of the Filipina "with movie star
looks" who allegedly served as a drug syndicate "mule" to smuggle some
five kilos of cocaine into Thailand, but was caught during a stopover
in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs said there is a real
danger that the drug ring that sent Jaquiline Nino Quiemno, 25, of San
Fernando, La Union to carry the cocaine into Kuala Lumpur may be
planning to silence Quiemno, who has started cooperating with the police.

Quiemno, who faces capital punishment under Malaysian laws, has been
cooperating with Malaysian authorities and information she provided
has led to the arrest of other drug syndicate members.

DFA special assistant for migrant workers affairs Pete Chan said the
foreign office is set to ask the Malaysian government to provide
security to Quiemno to thwart any attempt on her life from the drug
syndicate.

"That is automatic for us," Chan said in an interview. "We will have
to request protection for her."

A day after Quiemno was arrested for carrying five kilograms of
cocaine upon her arrival at the airport from Johannesburg, South
Africa, Malaysian police were reportedly able to arrest another
courier of the drug ring operating in Kuala Lumpur.

Chan said the embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur have been unable to
speak with Quiemno because the Malaysian authorities are allowed to
detain her for 14 days for questioning. The 14-day period ends on July
13.

The Filipina broke her silence on the syndicate after being informed
that she is facing death penalty for attempting to ship through what
is believed to be the largest volume of cocaine in Malaysia.

Earlier, Philippine charge d'affaires Luis Cruz said Quiemno has been
"very cooperative" with Malaysian drug enforcers in identifying other
members of the syndicate.

"The Sepang District Police authorities and narcotics department said
Quiemno has been helping them in their investigation and that her
cooperation has led to several other arrests," Cruz said in a report
to the DFA.

Quiemno was reportedly headed for Bangkok, Thailand when the cocaine,
valued at some 2 million Malaysian ringgit ($540,000) was found in her
luggage. 
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