Duterte to Widodo: I won’t interfere regarding Mary Jane Veloso

Malacañang on Monday clarified reports that President Duterte purportedly gave his “go-signal” for the execution of Filipino death convict Mary Jane Veloso when he met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo last week.

“The President just informed us his actual statement and conversation with President Widodo went like this. He said, ‘Regarding Mary Jane Veloso, follow your own laws. I will not interfere,’” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press conference.

READ: Duterte okayed Mary Jane’s execution, says Indonesian president

Asked if the President’s remarks were tantamount to agreeing to Veloso’s execution, Abella said he did not want to make any interpretation of Duterte’s conversation with his Indonesian counterpart.

The Indonesian Antara news agency quoted Widodo as saying, “President Duterte has given the go-ahead to proceed with the execution.”

“I have explained to (Duterte) about Mary Jane’s situation and I told him that Mary Jane (has been found guilty) for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. I also told him about the delay in the execution during the meeting,” Jokowi said. JE/rga