MANILA -- Malacanang has apparently given up the battle to save the lives of three Filipinos sentenced to death in China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday that the execution will push through on March 30.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace could not do anything but to respect the decision as the country ruled on the case “within the scope of Chinese law.”

“We respect and abide by the decision of China,” she said.

Three Filipinos facing death row in China are Ramon Credo, 42, who was arrested at the Gaoji International Airport in Xiamen for carrying 4,113 grams of heroin; Elizabeth Batain, 38, apprehended at the Shenzhen Airport with 6,800 grams of the illegal substance; and Sally Villanueva, 32, who was nabbed for carrying some 4,410 grams of the same illegal drug. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)