The Philippine government will “deliberate“ the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino worker who has been sentenced to death row for 12 years and is currently detained at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Malacanang said on Sunday, Sept. 4.
In a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia during the state visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong“ Marcos Jr., Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos is “aware“ of Veloso’s case but she could not disclose any further information about it.
“For matters of this sensitive nature, the President will have to — we cannot say more than that. We cannot even guess as to why but because it is of a such sensitive nature, then we proceed with deliberation, if we proceed at all,“ she said.
Cruz-Angeles said the case may be tackled if it will be brought up by Philippine or Indonesian government officials.
“We can’t say officially. It’s always an issue. Perhaps it will be broached by one or both parties. We’ll have to see. I understand, well, since a pending issue, it may be inescapable. But we will announce if it is taken up,“ she added.
On Sept. 2, Cesar Veloso, Mary Jane’s Father, traveled from Nueva Ecija to the Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) main office to send a letter of appeal to Marcos.
In the letter, Cesar insisted that her daughter is “innocent“ and she was charged with a crime that she did not commit.
“Kaya’t nakikiusap po kami sa inyo Mahal na Pangulo na humiling ng executive clemency kay Pangulong Joko Widodo ng Indonesia para palayain si Mary Jane Veloso,“ he wrote.
“Sana maisama na niyo pauwi si Mary Jane,“ Cesar added.
Cruz-Angeles said they have no information if the letter has reached Marcos but she reassured again that he is aware of the issue.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople shared that she received a copy of the letter and had discussed it with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo.
“By agreement, it will be the Department of Foreign Affairs would be taking the lead [in Veloso’s case]. The DMW will defer to the DFA and I am sure that Secretary Manalo will be, at the appropriate time, open to saying more about this case,“ she said.
In April 2010, Veloso was caught at Yogyakarta airport, Indonesia with 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was convicted with drug trafficking but she denied the charges, saying her recruiters planted drugs in her bag.
In October 2010, she was sentenced to death by firing squad but was spared following the arrest of her recruiters.
