Veloso’s deferred execution a chance to review drug conviction—solons

LAWMAKERS in the House of Representatives lauded the Indonesian government for holding off the execution of Mary Jane Veloso, with one representative saying her deferred execution will give her a chance for a review of her drug conviction.

In a text message Wednesday, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said this development might open another review of Veloso’s case, even though she had been convicted. The 30-year-old Filipina was convicted for smuggling heroin into Indonesia, but she claimed she was used as an unwilling drug mule in a human trafficking scheme.

“At least [there is] a chance to review her case,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte, also the Liberal Party’s vice chair, praised the efforts of President Benigno Aquino III to appeal to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to hold off the execution, especially after Veloso’s alleged recruiter Maria Kristina Sergio has been under custody of the police.

The execution of Veloso was stopped at the last minute after President Aquino appealed for reprieve pending the resolution of the charges, which will be filed against Sergio. Veloso has also been tapped as a witness.

“[This is] obviously the results of [Aquino’s] efforts,” Belmonte said.

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, however, said Veloso’s chance may lie in a presidential pardon if proven she is a human trafficking victim.

He said Veloso’s appeals to reverse her conviction were rejected twice already.

“She was already convicted by the Indonesian Court, and efforts to have it reviewed and reversed by Indonesian higher courts were already denied.  I am not certain if Indonesian Rules of Court allows a further review and acquit Mary Jane once she is proven to be a victim of human trafficking, based on the findings of our local courts,” Zarate, a human rights lawyer, said.

“At the very least, we hope that it will be used as a ground by President Widodo to probably give her pardon,” he added.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, meanwhile, said the reprieve may spare Veloso if it were proven that she was a victim of human trafficking.

He also said the proceedings against Sergio may also help Indonesia in its bid to stop drug ringleaders assisted by human traffickers in the country.

“Napakalaking bagay na tapusin muna ang trial at investigation ng sinasabing recruiter ni Mary Jane… [Dito] mapapatunayan sa trial na si Mary Jane at biktima ng human trafficking,” Colmenares said.

“Makakatulong din ito sa Indonesia [dahil] ang trial na ito ay pwedeng mag-lead para ma-dismantle ang sindikato sa Indonesia. Mutual benefit ito both Pilipinas at Indonesia,” he added.

Both Zarate and Colmenares said the reprieve should be attributed to the Filipino community’s indignation and protest actions and not to the Aquino administration.

“I think no single person or entity, not even President Aquino, can claim this extraordinary turn of events.  It is the collective resolve of the people – Filipinos and other nationalities alike, both here and abroad—who believed in the innocence of MJ (Mary Jane Veloso) and the justness of saving her from death,” Zarate said.

For his part, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said it is unfair that the President gets the flak over Veloso’s case, saying the President has asked to spare Veloso as early as 2011 when Veloso was convicted by the Indonesian Supreme Court.

“It is unfair for President Aquino to be pilloried by leftist groups since as early as 2011, [he] appealed for clemency for Veloso after she was convicted for drug trafficking and given the death penalty by the Indonesian high court,” said Gatchalian, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, an ally of the President’s Liberal Party.

Veloso was sentenced to death by firing range for serving as a drug courier in Indonesia. She said she was used by a drug ring as an unwilling drug mule who only fell victim to an illegal recruiter.

She was originally recruited as domestic helper in Kuala Lumpur until her recruiter Sergio asked her to proceed to Indonesia and carry an empty but heavy suitcase. Authorities arrested Veloso upon finding 2.6 kilograms of heroin stashed inside the suitcase lining.

Sergio surfaced at the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office in Cabanatuan City around 10 a.m. Tuesday to seek protection due to threats to her life.

She said she only wanted to help Veloso to find job opportunities abroad. Veloso, meanwhile, said she was tricked by Sergio and her Nigerian boyfriend who bought the empty but heavy suitcase that contained heroin. AC

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