Militants refuse to give PNoy credit for Veloso’s new lease on life

Despite a statement from Indonesian authorities that a request from President Benigno Aquino III was a factor in staying the execution of Mary Jane Veloso, militant lawmakers on Wednesday refused to give the Chief Executive credit for the last-minute reprieve.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said that while Aquino should be acknowledged for making a personal appeal on Veloso’s behalf to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, his efforts did not really amount to much since he was the only Philippine official who was in the position to do it.

“If only for that (making a personal appeal), i-recognize natin ang ginawa ni PNoy but it doesn’t absolve the government’s neglect of Mary Jane’s case over the years,” he told reporters in a press briefing.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said Aquino deserved no credit at all for Veloso’s new lease on life because the Philippine government had earlier resigned itself that she would be killed when the Department of Foreign Affairs said legal and diplomatic options to save her were already closed.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap assailed Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. for saying it was Aquino’s last-minute appeal for the Indonesian government to turn the Veloso into a witness that saved her life.

“Credit-grabbing nanaman si Aquino, dahil daw sa apela ni Aquino sabi ni Coloma, samantalang alam nating may katinuan na dahil ito sa malawak na pagkilos ng mamamayang Pilipino at ng ibang bansa, kasama pa ang media sa kanilang pag-cover ng mga ito," he said.

Result of PNoy's efforts

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, said it was patently through Aquino’s efforts that Veloso’s life was spared.

“[What happened was] obviously the result of PNoy's efforts [There’s now] at least a chance [for the Indonesian government] to review her case,” he said in a text message.

But for Zarate and Colmenares, as well as Gabriela party-list Reps. Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, the suspension of Veloso’s execution should be attributed to the relentless campaign waged by the Filipino people and civil society groups to save her life, as well as the indignation shown by individuals in other countries.

“[Veloso’s life was spared as] a result of immense pressure brought on by the Filipino people on the Indonesian government amid the President Aquino’s premature throwing in of the towel to save her life,” said the Gabriela lawmakers.

Aquino told the Indonesian foreign minister on Tuesday morning that Veloso’s testimony is necessary to catch the drug syndicate that supposedly duped her into smuggling heroin into Indonesia, and also following the surrender of her alleged recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio.

Veloso, a mother of two, was arrested in 2010 at the Yogyakarta International Airport after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her luggage.

Important testimony

Colmenares said Veloso’s testimony will be mutually beneficial to the Philippines and Indonesia’s campaign against illegal drugs as she might hold the key to unmasking the international drug syndicate preying on unsuspecting individuals to transport drugs without their knowledge.

“Makakatulong ang testimonya ni Mary Jane sa Indonesia. Pwede itong makatulog para ma-dismantle ang sindikato ng droga sa kanilang bansa. Makakatulong rin ang testimonya niya sa trial sa Pilipinas ni Maria Kristina Sergio,” he said.

A spokesman for Indonesia's Attorney General's Office said the execution of Veloso was postponed after Sergio turned herself in to authorities on Tuesday.

In a text message to media, Tony Spontana, spokesman for Indonesia's Attorney General, said: "There was a request from the Philippine president regarding the perpetrator who's suspected of committing human trafficking and surrendered in the Philippines. MJ is needed for her testimony." -NB, GMA News

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