Mary Jane Veloso ready and eager to debunk recruiter’s affidavit –lawyer

Mary Jane Veloso, whose execution in Indonesia for drug smuggling was put on hold a month ago, is eager to testify and debunk the claims of her alleged recruiter in the Philippines, her counsel said Thursday.

Lawyer Edre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) told GMA News Online that Mary Jane became more anxious to testify against Ma. Cristina Sergio after Sergio “twist[ed] the details of the incident” in the affidavit that she submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“She said she is ready to stand by her word anytime and anywhere and that she is absolutely innocent and that her version of the events has changed not one whit since 2010,” Olalia said.

Veloso's role in the Philippine investigation on her alleged recruiters was cited as reason for the temporary reprieve granted to her by the Indonesian government. At present, the Indonesian and Philippine governments have yet to decide on how Veloso can testify against her recruiter, who is now detained in the Philippines.

The 30-year-old Veloso has accused Sergio of tricking her into bringing a bag with 2.6 grams of heroin to Indonesia from Malaysia in April 2010.

Sergio has denied this in her affidavit, blaming instead two “African-looking men” who she said befriended them in Malaysia for what happened to veloso.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had earlier said Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao — both facing illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases — have been connected with a notorious West African drug syndicate since 2010.

Asked on Veloso's current condition in the Indonesian jail, Olalia said she is doing well and has the full support of Indonesian prison authorities, guards, and even cellmates.

She is also in constant contact with her family through phone calls, Olalia added.

“Family spoke to her after the last preliminary on May 25 at the DOJ (Department of Justice),” Olalia said. “I also spoke to her and updated her of the cases. She thanked everybody of their support and trust.”

He also said non-government organizations will take custody of Veloso's ex-husband, who is now under  protection by the NBI following suspicious visits by unidentified men in his residence in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

“What her ex-husband was subjected to was temporary protective custody by NBI because of the series of recent threats and harassment pending delivery to NGOs and church groups who will provide him sanctuary which he and his family prefers,” Olalia said. —KBK, GMA News

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