De Lima, Veloso camp hopeful Sergio’s statement will save Mary Jane from death row
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and the lawyer of Mary Jane Veloso's family have welcomed the statement of Ma. Cristina Sergio clearing Veloso of drug smuggling in Indonesia.
In an interview Thursday, De Lima said Sergio's statement, as contained in her counter-affidavit, was an “indication that we are on the right direction and right track” toward finally saving Veloso from the death sentence in Indonesia.
“Tama na ipinagpaliban muna ang implementasyon ng death sentence para mahalungkat muna lahat iyan, para malaman ang katotohanan. We're talking here about one precious life,” said De Lima.
Veloso, 39, was sentenced to die via firing squad in Indonesia for drug smuggling. Her execution, however, was stopped on the last minute last April 29 following appeals from the Philippine government, which said Veloso needs to testify against her alleged recruiter in the Philippines.
In a sworn statement submitted to the Department of Justice, which is conducting a preliminary probe on her and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao, Sergio insisted that Veloso was not aware she would be transporting illegal drugs from Malaysia to Indonesia.
Sergio said Veloso was promised a job by two "African-looking" men who they had met at a restaurant across the hotel they were staying in while in Malaysia.
Sergio said Veloso went to Malaysia with her in April 2010 to look for a job as a domestic helper.
Lawyer Edre Olalia, who represents Veloso's family in the criminal complaints lodged agianst Sergio and Lacanilao, also branded as a “positive development” Sergio's “unequivocal and categorical” admission in her affidavit.
“This is the ultimate fact... that we have been waiting for the longest time,” said Olalia.
He, however, said they will belie portions of Sergio's affidavit that were “self-serving.”
The claims that Sergio made included a denial of her involvement in any criminal group, and another claim that the Velosos had threatened her following Veloso's arrest and death sentence in Indonesia.
“We shall contest the inexplicable vilification she made against Mary Jane's family,” Olalia said.
Both De Lima and Olalia said the next step after Sergio's admission was to relay it to their Indonesian counterpart to bolster hopes that the reprieve extended to Veloso by Indonesian President Joko Widodo becomes permanent.
“All we have to do is bring all of this to the Indonesian authorities for their own appreciation. Marami pa siguro tayong makukuhang facts,” De Lima said.
“We shall continue to closely coordinate and update in real time our Indonesian counterparts in order for them to initiate the appropriate and expedient steps from their end as are warranted by the situation and developments,” said Olalia for his part. —KBK, GMA News
In an interview Thursday, De Lima said Sergio's statement, as contained in her counter-affidavit, was an “indication that we are on the right direction and right track” toward finally saving Veloso from the death sentence in Indonesia.
“Tama na ipinagpaliban muna ang implementasyon ng death sentence para mahalungkat muna lahat iyan, para malaman ang katotohanan. We're talking here about one precious life,” said De Lima.
Veloso, 39, was sentenced to die via firing squad in Indonesia for drug smuggling. Her execution, however, was stopped on the last minute last April 29 following appeals from the Philippine government, which said Veloso needs to testify against her alleged recruiter in the Philippines.
In a sworn statement submitted to the Department of Justice, which is conducting a preliminary probe on her and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao, Sergio insisted that Veloso was not aware she would be transporting illegal drugs from Malaysia to Indonesia.
Sergio said Veloso was promised a job by two "African-looking" men who they had met at a restaurant across the hotel they were staying in while in Malaysia.
Sergio said Veloso went to Malaysia with her in April 2010 to look for a job as a domestic helper.
Lawyer Edre Olalia, who represents Veloso's family in the criminal complaints lodged agianst Sergio and Lacanilao, also branded as a “positive development” Sergio's “unequivocal and categorical” admission in her affidavit.
“This is the ultimate fact... that we have been waiting for the longest time,” said Olalia.
He, however, said they will belie portions of Sergio's affidavit that were “self-serving.”
The claims that Sergio made included a denial of her involvement in any criminal group, and another claim that the Velosos had threatened her following Veloso's arrest and death sentence in Indonesia.
“We shall contest the inexplicable vilification she made against Mary Jane's family,” Olalia said.
Both De Lima and Olalia said the next step after Sergio's admission was to relay it to their Indonesian counterpart to bolster hopes that the reprieve extended to Veloso by Indonesian President Joko Widodo becomes permanent.
“All we have to do is bring all of this to the Indonesian authorities for their own appreciation. Marami pa siguro tayong makukuhang facts,” De Lima said.
“We shall continue to closely coordinate and update in real time our Indonesian counterparts in order for them to initiate the appropriate and expedient steps from their end as are warranted by the situation and developments,” said Olalia for his part. —KBK, GMA News
Ma. Cristina Sergio, the alleged recruiter who tricked Mary Jane Veloso into carrying a suitcase with heroin to Indonesia, swears during the filing of her counter-affidavit at the Department of Justice in Manila on Wednesday, May 20. Her live-in partner and co-accused, Julius Lacanilao, also filed his counter-affidavit. Lia Manalac-Del Castillo
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