DFA to pursue case vs Veloso's recruiter

The case against Mary Jane Veloso's alleged recruiters must be pursued for the chance that she will be granted clemency, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Tuesday.
"If we can prove that MJ is innocent and was only a victim, then we can use that as basis to make another request for clemency," DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose told GMA News Online.
The statement was made after Indonesia's National Narcotic Agency (BNN) handed down death sentences to 55 drug convicts on Tuesday.
Jakarta Post reported that 14 of the convicts were now awaiting execution. The BNN did not provide details on the names and nationalities of the convicts.
"The deferment of MJ's execution was premised on the understanding that we need her testimony in the case that was filed versus her alleged recruiter," Jose said.
He pointed out that Indonesia still had a moratorium on executions as it prioritized economic ventures over its strict anti-drugs measures as he emphasized Veloso's precarious situation.
"Mary Jane was indeed given the death sentence for possession of illegal drugs but her execution was not carried out at the last minute due to Philippine government intervention. She has not been given clemency or had her sentence commuted," Jose explained.
Veloso's family recently asked a Nueva Ecija court to deny the motion for reconsideration filed by her alleged recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, after their arraignment was suspended last November 11.
The 31-year-old mother of two was arrested in April 2010 for the 2.6 kilograms of heroin found in her luggage. — BAP/KG, GMA News

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