Indonesia defers Pinay drug mule’s execution

MANILA, Philippines - The execution of a Filipina sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling has been deferred after the Philippine government filed a request for judicial review, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine government presented the request for judicial review through a note verbale to Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We are just awaiting the schedule of that judicial review,” Jose said in a press briefing.

He said the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court but all death penalty cases in Indonesia are entitled to at least one judicial review.

The Filipina, who arrived in Indonesia in 2010 as a tourist, was convicted of drug smuggling and sentenced to death by firing squad after the case was tried for four years.