Prayers for Mary Jane Veloso urged

Indonesian prison officials watch Filipina drug convict and death row prisoner Mary Jane Veloso, clad in traditional Indonesian attire, performing during a program celebrating Kartini Day in honor of Indonesian national hero and women’s rights activist Raden Kartini at Yogyakarta prison on April 21, 2015. Veloso, aged 30 and a mother of two whose appeal had been rejected by the Indonesian Supreme Court is expected to be executed soon along with other drug convicts including foreigners from France, Brazil, Nigeria and Ghana. AFP PHOTO/TARKO SUDIARNO

AN official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday asked the Indonesian government led by President Joko Widodo to reconsider its decision to execute overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso for drug trafficking.

BACKSTORY: Indonesian court rejects death row Filipina’s appeal

In an interview over Radyo Veritas, CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo appealed to the Filipino people to pray so that the Indonesian government can change its decision on Veloso’s case.

“Humihingi po kami ng tulong na mabago sana ang mga puso ng korte sa Indonesia na bigyan uli itong aming kababayan ng tunay na katarungan (We are asking for help so that the Indonesian court can have a change of heart and give our kababayan true justice),” Pabillo said.

The prelate also wished courage for Veloso and her family during this challenging time.

“(Sana) mapalakas ang loob ni Mary Jane Veloso sa mga pagkakataong ito at gayun din ang kanyang mga pamilya, ng kanyang mga anak, ng kanyang mga magulang at mga kapatid (I wish that Mary Jane Veloso, her children, her parents and siblings will have the courage during this difficult time),” he said.

Pabillo also asked the Philippine government to be more vocal in its stance on Veloso’s case, saying that she was only a victim of the crime.

The Philippine government is scrambling to save Veloso who is set to be executed by firing squad. President Benigno Aquino III wrote a third letter to Indonesian President Widodo last week to ask for clemency while Vice President Jejomar Binay flew to Indonesia in a bid to save the Filipina domestic helper.

Veloso, a 30-year-old mother of two, faces execution after she was caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin worth $500,000 in her baggage on her arrival at the Yogyakarta airport in 2010. AC
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