PNoy to appeal for Veloso when he meets Widodo at ASEAN summit

President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday vowed he would appeal for any action that could save the life of Mary Jane Veloso, who is facing death in Indonesia for a drug-related offense.

In his message before heading for Malaysia on Sunday noon, Aquino said he will take the opportunity to talk to Indonesian President Joko Widodo about Veloso's case.

"Sa pagdalo po natin sa ASEAN summit na ito, kukunin na rin natin ang pagkakataon na ipagpatuloy ang ating pagsisikap upang matulungan ang kababaayan nating si Mary Jane Veloso," he said.

"Doon sisikapin nating kausapin si Pangulong Widodo... upang i-apila muli ang kanyang [Veloso] kaso," he added.

Veloso is facing the death penalty after being caught with over 2.5 kilograms of heroin in an airport in Indonesia in 2010.

On Saturday night, she received a Letter Notice of Execution from Indonesian authorities informing her she will be executed by firing squad on April 28, 2015.

Mary Jane, her lawyer, and representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia refused to sign the notice as they said they have a pending second appeal for Veloso's case.

Aside from Widodo, Aquino is set to meet with other ASEAN leaders at the summit to discuss issues surrounding the establishment of the ASEAN Community, and other concerns.

Included on the list of topics they expect to tackle are climate change and security in the region, Aquino said.

"Ididiin po nating kailangan ang ganap na kaayusan upang tuluyan tayong umarangkada sa kaunlaran," said Aquino, adding, "Anumang hindi pagkakaunawaan ay marapat na tugunan sa mahinahon at mapayapang paraan."

The Philippines and other ASEAN member countries – including Vietnam and Malaysia – are parties to a maritime tussle with China over the South China Sea, parts of it Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

While he did not specifically mention the sea dispute in his departure remarks, Aquino said members of the ASEAN should band together in facing issues that threaten the region. — LBG/JDS, GMA News

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