Kin of Pinay facing death in Indonesia seek CBCP help over death threats – report

Relatives of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina facing the death penalty in Indonesia over a drug-related case, have been receiving death threats, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site reported Sunday.
 
CBCP News quoted Veloso's mother Celia as saying the death threats started after they gave media interviews about a person who allegedly framed her daughter.
 
“We believe it now because after our media interviews, they have come and gone several times already. They would ask our neighbors [about us], but would leave immediately when told where we live,” the CBCP news site quoted Mrs. Veloso as saying.
 
On Friday, Celia and her husband Cesar, and Mary Jane’s two children, met with some CBCP officials in Manila to ask for help.
 
She said those behind the threats claimed to be "from an international [drug] syndicate."
 
"They told us before not to entertain the media because they will kill us all,” she said.
 
Maria Kristina Sergio, live-in partner of Mary Jane’s god-brother, had also warned them “not to speak to anyone” about her daughter’s case.
 
Sergio allegedly recruited Mary Jane to Malaysia before having her carry luggage filled with heroin to Indonesia.
 
The Philippine government had said it is exerting efforts to have Veloso spared.
 
For his part, CBCP public affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said he will forward to the bishops the concerns raised by Veloso's family.
 
“Let’s see what possible intervention the Catholic Church can do about the security of the family... As of now, the purpose is to discuss this and to listen to the parents so we could determine what move are we going to take,” he said. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News


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