Palace, Church hope to convince Indonesia to spare Veloso

The Philippine government and the local Catholic Church on Saturday aired hopes recent developments will convince Indonesia that Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina facing execution for a drug-related conviction, is a victim of drug syndicates.
 
In MalacaƱang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they are hoping the proceedings against Veloso's recruiters would convince Indonesia of Manila's quest for justice for Veloso.
 
"We hope the Indonesian government will see the determination of the Philippine government, in our quest to find justice for Mary Jane Veloso - including prosecuting those responsible for her present situation right now," he said on state-run dzRB radio.
 
He also Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao's visit to Veloso was a big help for the jailed OFW's cause. He said Pacquiao further showed the "intention of the Philippine government to ensure justice" for her.
 
Veloso has claimed she was duped into bringing into Indonesia bags that turned out to contain heroin.
 
The Department of Justice has approved the filing of illegal recruitment, estafa, and human trafficking charges against Veloso's suspected recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao.

"Nag-file na po tayo ng kaso sa mga illegal recruiters. Iyan po ang ating commitment po sa Indonesian government that as soon as we gather all the evidence, we will file the necessary case against those who put Mary Jane Veloso in a very difficult situation where she is now," Lacierda said.
 
CBCP to write Indonesian government
 
For its part, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines will write to the Indonesian govermment asking it anew to spare Veloso.
 
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People executive secretary Fr. Resty Ogsimer told Church-run Radyo Veritas the Church will appeal to Indonesia's government to free Veloso, whom he said was a victim of human trafficking.
 
“Basically ang task force against death penalty of Mary Jane Veloso, the president of CBCP at ang chairman of the Commission Bishop [Ruperto] Santos, ay susulat kay Indonesian President [Joko] Widodo para madagdagan ang mga nag-aapela," he said.

"Mas mabuti na maraming letter na matatanggap ang gobyerno ng Indonesia from different sectors para mas may weight ang ibat-ibang action ng grupo, since CBCP is kilalang institution na can also write a letter direct to President Widodo,” Ogsimer said.  Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

POPCOM, gagamit ng ‘digital platforms’ para pagtibayin ang mga ugnayang pampamilya

Selling of balikbayan boxes online part of deal between sender, firm —BOC By JOAHNA LEI CASILAO, GMA Integrated News

Dozens injured after train derails in Netherlands: emergency services --- Agence France-Presse