Witnesses to Veloso execution summoned to Indonesian prison island

FILIPINA maid Mary Jane Veloso is a few hours closer to death with the witnesses to the execution being summoned to the Nusakambangan, the prison island where she and the other inmates will face death by firing squad.

“Her two sisters Maritess and Darlene, the embassy representative Consul General Robert Manalo, her Indonesian lawyer are already on the island (to witness the execution),” Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen Isleta said in a television interview.

She said even if Indonesian President Joko Widodo had called for a Cabinet meeting after learning about the surrender of Veloso’s recruiter Maria Kristina Sergio, the execution will still push through.

“Indonesia’s Attorney General earlier announced that the surrender of Mary Jane’s recruiter has no bearing on her case,” Isleta said.

Charles Jose, spokesperson for the DFA, said the execution was likely to happen later in the evening or at midnight.

“We will be here until the execution and we will issue a statement after that,” Jose said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario was seen entering the DFA headquarters Tuesday evening after his trip to Malaysia for the 26th Asean summit. AC