Cardinal Tagle appeals for ‘due process’ for Pinay in Indonesia death row

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Monday appealed for "due process" for Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina facing execution in Indonesia over a drug conviction.

Tagle particularly asked the Indonesian government to respect the rights of Veloso and of all overseas Filipino workers, Church-run Radyo Veritas reported.

But the cardinal also made it clear that he did not mean to disrespect the Indonesian legal system in making his call.

"Ang isang panawagan natin ay sana katulad ng lahat ng tao na nasasakdal, si Mary Jane sana ay mabigyan ng karampatang pagdinig,” said Tagle.

“Kaya, bagama’t ginagalang natin ang ibang bansa at ang kanilang mga batas, tayo ay nakikiusap hindi lamang para kay Mary Jane kundi sa lahat ng mga tao na nasasakdal, mahuhuli, na sana mabigyan ng paggalang ang kanilang karapatan at ang mga procedure, ang tinatawag nating due process ay huwag ipagkakait sa kanila."

In Veloso's case, he said she may not have been given an interpreter.

Tagle also appealed to those who may have given Veloso the drugs to be responsible and to be conscience-stricken, as their actions may have doomed an innocent overseas Filipino worker like Veloso.

Tagle likewise reminded OFWs not to accept any offer or accommodate any request to carry another person's baggage.

“Kasi kapag hindi mo alam ang laman niyan, ikaw na ang may dala, kung yan ay ilegal, sino pa nga ba ang dadamputin at huhulihin dahil ikaw ang may dala.” — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News

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