Hold off Veloso execution and wait for recruiter’s trial, solon asks Indonesia

A militant congressman has asked the Indonesian government to hold off the execution of Mary Jane Veloso now that her alleged recruiter has surrendered.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares pleaded to the Indonesian government to hold off the execution by firing range of Veloso, who had been convicted for smuggling heroin.

The congressman asked the Indonesian government to await the prosecution of Kristina Sergio, Veloso’s alleged recruiter, who surrendered to authorities today.

“We’re pleading to the Indonesian government to save the execution of Mary Jane Veloso pending the investigation and prosecution of Kristina Sergio. It would be a big thing if it would be proven in the trial that Kristina Sergio was the one who made Mary Jane smuggle this drug,” Colmenares said.

“If Mary Jane is a victim of human trafficking, definitely death sentence won’t be the penalty for that,” he said.

Veloso had been sentenced to death by firing range for serving as a drug courier in Indonesia. She had said she was used by a drug ring as an unwilling drug mule who only fell victim to an illegal human recruiter.

She is set to be under firing range today.

She was originally recruited as a domestic helper in Kuala Lumpur until her recruiter Kristina Sergio asked her to proceed to Indonesia and carry an empty but heavy suitcase. Authorities arrested Veloso upon finding 2.6 kilograms of heroin stashed inside the suitcase lining.

Sergio surrendered to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office in Cabanatuan City around 10 a.m. on Tuesday for fear of her life after she was tagged as Veloso’s recruiter.

READ: Mary Jane Veloso recruiters surrender to police

Colmenares and fellow Bayan Muna solon Carlos Zarate had filed a resolution calling for the House to investigate the case of Veloso and other OFWs detained for being accused drug mules who may be victims of human trafficking.

“In the light of Veloso’s case, it is of utmost urgency for Congress to investigate the case of the so-called drug mules who are unsuspectingly used by drug syndicates and the modus operandi of the same to forewarn the public especially those applying for jobs through the Internet,” House Resolution 2042 read.

“Congress must also look into the efforts of the Philippine government to adequately protect and assist OFWs like Veloso and soon-to-be OFWs from becoming victims of criminal syndicates.” RC