Palace grateful to Indonesia for granting Veloso reprieve

Malacañang on Wednesday thanked the Indonesian government for giving Mary Jane Veloso an 11th-hour reprieve which saved the Filipina from execution.

READ: Veloso execution stopped

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that the “temporary reprieve” given to Veloso will aid in tracking the criminal syndicate which duped her to become their drug courier.

“The Philippine government thanks President (Joko) Widodo and the Indonesian government for giving due consideration to President (Benigno)Aquino (III)’s appeal that Mary Jane Veloso be given a reprieve. Such reprieve provides an opportunity for the perpetuation of her testimony that could shed light on how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice or courier in their human and drug trafficking activities,” Coloma said.

He also thanked the Filipino people for their prayers for Veloso.

Veloso was set to be executed along with eight drug convicts on Wednesday. However, she was spared after Maria Kristina Sergio, the woman who allegedly recruited her to be a drug courier, gave herself up to police on Tuesday.

READ: Alleged Mary Jane Veloso recruiter: I was just helping her

The other eight convicts from Australia, Nigeria, Brazil, and Indonesia were executed.

Confirming that Veloso was granted a temporary reprieve, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that they are “relieved” that Veloso’s life has been spared.

“We are relieved that the execution of Mary Jane has not been carried out tonight. The Lord has answered our prayers,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose said early Wednesday morning.

Veloso’s family regarded the Indonesian government’s move as a “miracle.” IDL

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