MANILA, Philippines, July 14 — Malacañang has reiterated its commitment to help save the life of Mary Jane Veloso.
“The government is committed to try to do everything to save Mary Jane Veloso,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace on Monday.
“There’s a case filed against her (illegal) recruiters, so we hope to inform, or perhaps the Indonesian government has already been informed of the status of the case. Hopefully, that will be a positive development in the stay of execution of Ms. Veloso.”
On criticisms that the government is only working on the case because Veloso’s execution is approaching, Secretary Lacierda explained that the Department of Foreign Affairs has been silently working to save her.
To Veloso’s family, Lacierda assured, “Hindi ho namin binibitawan si Mary Jane Veloso. Iyon po ang commitment namin. We are going to do everything to save the life your daughter.”
Convicted by an Indonesian court of drug trafficking, the 30-year-old Veloso was set for execution last April 29. She however obtained a last-minute reprieve after the Indonesian government was informed that her illegal recruiters had surfaced.
The Department of Justice has already filed illegal recruitment, estafa, and human trafficking charges against Veloso’s recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao. PND (ag)
