PH gov’t to tell Indonesia of indictment of Veloso recruiters
AS the Philippine government remains unsure of the status of Mary Jane Veloso, Malacañang on Thursday said it will inform Indonesian authorities of the indictment of her recruiters.
Veloso, who was convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia, is still on a temporary reprieve from the death row.
READ: Veloso execution stopped
She was spared from execution following the surrender of her recruiter who allegedly duped her into becoming a drug courier.
On Thursday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to file criminal charges against Ma. Cristina Sergio and her partner Julius Lacanilao for illegal recruitment and estafa. Both of them and a man identified only as “Ike” will be charged with “qualified trafficking,” which involves recruitment, transfer and harboring of persons for an “exploitative purpose.”
READ: DOJ indicts recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso
“Kasama ‘yan sa impormasyon na ipararating natin sa pamahalaan ng Indonesia para mabatid nila na mula ‘nung sumuko, o nag-voluntarily turn in ang tinutukoy nating alleged illegal recruiter ay nagkaroon na ng progreso doon sa case buildup, at ayon nga sa iyong iniulat ngayon ay inihahanda na ‘yung paghain ng paratang laban sa kanila,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a press briefing.
(That information will be forwarded to the Indonesian government so they’ll know that since the alleged illegal recruiter surrendered there has been progress in the case buildup. And based on what has been recently reported, the case against them is already being prepared.)
Coloma, however, admitted that the DOJ is still working with Indonesian authorities to learn of the actual status of Veloso’s case.
He said the government continues to support Veloso and ensure the protection of her rights.
Edre Olalia, one of Veloso’s lawyers, said “there is presently no A1 news, report or information either way on her indefinite reprieve.”
“It’s still status quo. Talk of her possibly being executed soon is a product of normal apprehension because the holy Ramadan ends next week and new executions reportedly may be scheduled in general,” he said in a text message.
Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is set to visit Veloso on Friday to show his support and possibly to make another appeal to save her life.
READ: Pacquiao to visit Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia
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