Family of Filipina in Indon death row get death threats
MANILA — The family of the Filipino overseas worker facing execution in Indonesia for drug smuggling said they are receiving death threats.
Celia, the mother of Mary Jane Veloso, said she and other members of her family have been receiving warnings since they faced the media to plead for the case of her daughter.
"They said they are from an i nternational [drug] syndicate. They told us before not to entertain the media because they will kill us all," Celia told t he news t eam of t he Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Celia believes her daughter was innocent and was only deceived by her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, who earlier warned t hem "not t o speak t o anyone" about Veloso's case.
The recruiter, a livein partner of a family friend, earlier promised her daughter a job post in Indonesia.
Celia said suspected members of t he drug syndicate have inquired about t hem in their neighborhood. "After our media interviews, they have come and gone several times already. They would ask our neighbors, but would leave immediately when told where we live," she said.
Celia and her husband, Cesar, and Veloso's two children met with CBCP officials on Friday t o seek for assistance.
The Catholic hierarchy in the Philippines urged the public to offer prayers for Veloso, who was convicted and sentence t o be executed by firing squad after she was caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage at an Indonesian airport in 2010.
Malacañang had said the Philippine government has "exerted t o and continues to exert all legal and diplomatic means" to save Veloso's life.
President Benigno Aquino III had even sent l etters t o Indonesian President Joko Widodo to seek clemency for t he Filipino.