Pubdate: Fri, 04 Feb 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Malaysia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

IN AID OF FELONY

Nelson Diana, a Filipino seaman, has been sentenced to hang in
Malaysia, where death is the mandatory penalty for possessing more
than 40 grams of illegal drugs.

Information reaching us through the Department of Foreign Affairs says
Diana was found with 508.6 grams of cocaine concealed in the lining of
his briefcase at the Kuala Lumpur airport in August 2002.

Press reports indicate Diana did not deny wrongdoing. In fact, one
report says he begged for mercy at his trial, saying he had "never
done this before" - a clear admission of guilt.

Still, in knee-jerk fashion, our foreign affairs officials have rushed
to his defense.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has instructed the Philippine
embassy in Malaysia to appeal the case, and has assured Diana's family
that the department will "exhaust all possible remedies" on behalf of
the convicted man.

We understand the desire on the part of government officials to help
our countrymen when they are in distress in a foreign land. That is
what governments are supposed to do for their citizens.

On the other hand, by what logic can we explain the need to rush to
help a convicted felon - in this case, a drug trafficker?

If Diana were convicted in the Philippines of the same crime - also
punishable by death - would government officials still rush to his aid
to "exhaust all possible remedies"?

Or, if a Malaysian were found guilty here of drug trafficking in the
Philippines and sentenced to death, would we not see as interference
efforts by Kuala Lumpur to obtain his freedom?

Why do we apply a different standard when the criminal is in a foreign
land?

The Department of Foreign Affairs should pick its battles wisely. Or,
if we are still compelled by humanitarian concerns, let us at least
move quietly to make our case, outside the glare of the media. This is
not something we wish to draw attention to.

After all, what image do our diplomats project when they publicly fall
over themselves to help every Filipino convicted of a crime abroad,
regardless of the circumstances?

It is the same image that they project, when we go hat in hand and beg
the Japanese to please let our bar girls stay in their country.

We speak of a strong republic but our neighbors must be laughing.
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