Philippines to seek clemency for Veloso once more

THE PHILIPPINE government may seek clemency once more for Mary Jane F. Veloso, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

But the move still depends on the results of the legal process being undertaken by a panel created by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against her recruiter, DFA Spokesperson Charles C. Jose said on Thursday.

“I think that’s possible, depending on the outcome of the cases versus the recruiter,” Mr. Jose said.

“The most important thing for us to do now is to ensure that Mary Jane will be given the opportunity to give her testimony in connection with the cases [against Maria Kristina P. Sergio]. We should undertake and complete credible investigation in an expeditious matter,” he added.

On Wednesday, the DoJ has convened a task force that would study possible legal remedies in the case of Veloso.

Veloso, now back in her prison cell in Yogyakarta, was pulled out of the execution site at the last minute after Indonesian authorities decided to pursue all legal actions against her recruiter in the Philippines before they carry out capital punishment.

The alleged recruiter whom Veloso claimed duped her into being an unwitting drug mule is currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police after showing up at a police station on Wednesday.

Sergio surrendered in a Cabanatuan police station and is now facing illegal recruitment, estafa and human trafficking charges.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Joko Widodo clarified that the temporary reprieve should not be construed as an absolution of the crime Veloso had committed.

“There’s a letter from the Philippines [ explaining about] human trafficking. It is a postponement [of the execution], not an annulment,” Mr. Widodo told an Indonesian newspaper. —