Pinay death convict Veloso, family to reunite in Indonesia

Filipino death convict Mary Jane Veloso, who is facing execution in Indonesia for drug smuggling, will be reunited with her family once again as her life hangs in the balance.
 
Veloso, 30, was arrested by Indonesian authorities in 2010 at the Yogyakarta International Airport for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. She claimed she was tricked by a family friend who also acted as her recruiter into carrying the drug-laden suitcase.
 
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Veloso’s mother, Celia, and her two children Mark Daniel and Mark Darrel will depart Manila for Indonesia via Philippine Airlines flight PR0535 Thursday night.
 
They will arrive in Jakarta at 11:55 p.m. to meet Veloso’s father, Cesar, and sister, Maritess Veloso, before proceeding to Yogyakarta on Friday.
“The visit was requested by Mary Jane,” Jose said.  
 
This is the family’s second visit to Mary Jane since March of this year.
 
“Through the representations of the embassy hired lawyers of Mary Jane, the whole family will be able to visit her from April 24 to April 30,” Jose said, adding they are also scheduled to meet with the embassy hired lawyers.”
 
Jose said the family will stay in Yogyakarta until April 30.
 
Manila, on behalf of Veloso, sought a judicial review on the Filipino’s case, questioning the competence of the translator provided to Mary Jane during the trial.
 
The Philippine government’s first attempt to save Veloso’s life and hopefully commute her sentence to life imprisonment failed after Indonesia’s Supreme Court rejected its plea.
 
A second appeal, which is allowed, under Indonesian laws is being prepared, Jose said.
 
He said it might be filed before April 24 – the date when Indonesia is expected to carry out the execution of foreign prisoners convicted of drug-related offenses, which includes two Australians.
 
“We will be filing it as soon as we are able to complete the necessary documents,” Jose said.
 
Philippine officials said they were assured by the Indonesian government that Veloso will not be executed until all legal proceedings have been completed.
 
An appeal for judicial review, the Philippine government said, is considered part of the process. — RSJ, GMA News

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