No Mention of Veloso Clemency in Joko, Rody Meet

Mary Jane Veloso

Manila, Philippines, 2 Sya’ban 1438/29 April 2017 (MINA) – President Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo skipped the issue on the possible grant of clemency to convicted drug trafficker Filipina worker Mary Jane Veloso during their joint declaration of support last night in Malacañang, Philstar reported.

Before he attended the welcome ceremonies for Widodo at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang for the latter’s state visit, Duterte said he would try to discuss Veloso’s case with the Indonesian leader who has also been strict in the illegal drugs campaign back in his own country.

As a Filipino, Duterte said he needed to make a move seeking for Veloso’s freedom but he would bear in mind that he also needs to respect the processes and laws in Indonesia.

“As a Filipino, I have a stake there also. But I’d like to thank them in advance for the reprieve. Maski ‘yan na lang muna,” Duterte told reporters.

Palace officials did not say whether the two leaders talked about Veloso’s case during their “restricted meeting” at the Palace’s Music Room, which was followed by their bilateral meeting.

“As regards the case of Mary Jane Veloso. It was not mentioned during the expanded bilateral meeting. It will be preemptive to say as well if it was discussed during their private meeting,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said last night.

The other day, Duterte said he will discuss the case of Veloso, whose execution has been put on hold after many interventions from the government.

Widodo arrived Friday for a state visit and to attend the 30thAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila.

Veloso’s parents and other relatives of Filipino workers in death row abroad went to Malacañang last Wednesday in a bid to call for the intervention on the case of Veloso and the others.

Veloso was sentenced to death for smuggling heroin into Indonesia. She was arrested in April 2010 for bringing in 2.6 kilograms of heroin in a suitcase.

Veloso was sentenced to death in October 2010 but the execution did not push through due to the moratorium issued by former Indonesian President Yudhoyono.

She was set to be executed anew in January 2015, and then on April 29, 2015 but she was granted a stay of execution in exchange for testifying against her alleged recruiter. (T/RS5/RS10

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)