KUALA LUMPUR - Three Filipinos convicted of drug trafficking in Malaysia have been spared the death penalty and will serve prison terms instead, the Philippines said yesterday.

The announcement came as Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay wrapped up a short visit to Malaysia, which is known for its tough punishments for drug smuggling.

The death sentences for the three men were commuted earlier this month, Binay's office said in a statement.

"We sincerely appreciate the grant of pardon and see it as further validation of the strong ties between the Philippines and Malaysia," it quoted Binay as saying.

He thanked Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in talks Tuesday. The visit had focused on boosting trade and investment.

Jaliman Salleh and Aldipal Hadani were arrested in July 2008 in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on Borneo island, in possession of more than 860 grams (30 ounces) of cannabis.

They were sentenced to death in June 2010, but those sentences were reduced to 15 years in prison each.

The death sentence for the third man, Basir Omar, was commuted to 13 years and seven months in prison, the Philippine statement said.

Binay cautioned Filipinos in Malaysia "not to be lured by criminal syndicates into becoming drug mules or to engage in the illegal drug trade," the statement said.

Death by hanging is a mandatory penalty for drug-trafficking convictions in Malaysia. As of early last year, some 700 people were on death row, mostly for drug trafficking. Since 1960, more than 440 people have been executed.*AFP

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