(Eagle News)– Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Tuesday explained that the suspected illegal recruiters of Mary Jane “MJ” Veloso should be found guilty first before asking Indonesia for clemency.
“Ang mahalaga lang ay mapagpatuloy ang judicial process. Ituloy na natin [the local case against illegal recruiters]. If it can be clearly seen that she is innocent, then that would be the ground for plea for clemency,” Abella said.
Maria Christina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao– the suspected illegal recruiters– are facing charges for allegedly tricking Veloso into bringing heroin in Indonesia in 2010.
Indonesia has given Veloso reprieve after Philippine government requested to allow her to testify against Sergio and Lacanilao.
According to Abella, only when the recruiters are found guilty that the Philippines can request clemency.
Earlier, the Palace denied a report of the Jakarta Post saying that President Rodrigo Duterte already gave a “go-signal” for Veloso’s execution.
According to Abella, Duterte only told Indonesian President Joko Widodo: “Follow your own laws. I will not interfere.”
