DOJ will request Indonesia for access to Veloso

Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is escorted by Indonesian police as she arrives at the court in Sleman in central Java island for a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. AFP FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will request the Indonesian government for access to Mary Jane Veloso.

De Lima said getting Veloso’s testimony is key to a successful prosecution of her alleged recruiters Maria Kristina Sergio, Julius Lacanilao and a man of African descent known only as “Ike.”

Veloso, in her affidavit obtained by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last March 31, said Lacanilao introduced her to Sergio. Sergio accompanied her to Malaysia with a promise of helping her find a job while “Ike” met the two in Malaysia and gave to Mary Jane the luggage concealing the 2.6 kilograms of heroin.

“We need to access Mary Jane because she is a complaining witness against [the suspects],” de Lima told reporters Monday.

She said the government is looking at three options on how to access Veloso: by deposition or sworn statement, by video testimony and by personal appearance, which means she will return to the Philippines.

But de Lima admitted that the third option would be unlikely.

“We believe it will be difficult to convince Indonesia to grant us the third option,” de Lima said adding that it is also important to respect the laws and judicial system of Indonesia.

“We should respect the laws an [judicial] system of Indonesia. We might as well settle on what is easier to achieve since these options, any of these options, is geared towards helping Mary Jane,” de Lima said.

De Lima said the formal request is in connection with the preliminary investigation on the human trafficking and illegal recruitment charges against the recruiters of Veloso – Sergio and Lacanilao – who are now under protective custody of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame.

She said a supplemental request would also be sent to Indonesia for the eventual trial of the cases should the investigating prosecutors find probable cause and recommend filing of the charges in court.

Sergio and Lacanilao are expected to appear before Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Azarcon in the DOJ at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8, for the preliminary investigation hearing. They will be represented by chief public attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta. AC

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