The Philippine government Sunday warned Filipino travelers, particularly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), not to entertain requests from strangers in airports abroad to carry baggage for them since the bags may contain illegal drugs. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) issued the warning following the arrest of seven OFWs in China who had been caught transporting illegal drugs contained in the bags they were asked by strangers to carry in exchange for a few hundred dollars. Two of the OFWs were arrested in Hong Kong for carrying five kilograms of heroin while the other five were picked up in Shenzhen in connection with drug smuggling. Dionisio Santiago, director general of PDEA, said transnational drug syndicates are taking advantage of the kind and accommodating nature of Filipinos. He said organized drug syndicates would request departing OFWs in airports abroad to carry a small baggage containing their contraband in exchange for a few hundred dollars. “It is sad to note that Filipino travelers caught with the drugs will suffer the scathing consequences despite the fact that they did not know they were actually carrying such dangerous substances,” he said. Santiago said he was informed by the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) that some 36 Filipinos were arrested in China for drug-related offenses from January to May this year. Records showed that the OFWs were invited by a friend or befriended by a black man -- usually Nigerian, according to the OUMWA -- to travel to a city in the region and bring in drugs to China in their persons or luggage. __
