Veloso recruiter, partner brought before Nueva Ecija court, detained at provincial jail

The recruiter of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina facing a death sentence over a drug-related case in Indonesia, and her partner faced Monday afternoon the Nueva Ecija judge who ordered their arrest.

National Bureau of Investigation agents brought Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao before Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija Judge Nelson Tribiana at 5:15 p.m., GMA News stringer Junjun Sy reported Tuesday.

Sergio and Lacanilao were then transferred to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Jail.

Last May 14, the court had ordered the arrest of Sergio and Lacanilao for alleged large-scale illegal recruitment. The charge stemmed from the complaints lodged by 14 victims.

Sergio and Lacanilao were brought to the court in a sport-utility vehicle, escorted by NBI agents from Metro Manila. The two had been detained at the NBI.

Media representatives were not allowed to enter the court.

After the presentation of Sergio and Lacanilao before the court that took more than 30 minutes, the two were brought to the emergency room of PJG Hospital in Talavera for medical tests.

The NBI declined to comment on Monday's presentation of Sergio and Lacanilao before the court. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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