Indonesia wants Mary Jane Veloso home by Christmas —DOJ spox

Indonesia has indicated that it wants Filipina death row convict Mary Jane Veloso transferred to the Philippines by Christmas, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said Monday.

“We are very well aware that the Indonesian government has indicated or expressed their intention to transfer her custody from Indonesia to the Philippines before Christmas,” Clavano said in an ambush interview.

“Sana matupad ‘yun. Magandang Christmas gift po sa atin ‘yun, no, (We really hope it will come to pass. This will be a good Christmas gift for us), because we have just saved a Filipino life from death row,” he added.

On Friday last week, Indonesia and the Philippines formally agreed on the transfer of Veloso following a high-level meeting held abroad.

According to Clavano, Indonesia did not set any conditions regarding Veloso.

“Binibigay lang ho si Mary Jane Veloso sa atin and it is up to us to decide whether or not there should be other steps taken,” he said.

He said the Philippines will have both legal and physical custody of Veloso.

When asked what possibilities this will open, Clavano cited the possible grant of executive clemency for Veloso, the commutation of her sentence, and where she will be detained.

Clavano previously said the decision on Veloso’s clemency is up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, the Justice spokesperson said authorities are still discussing where Veloso will be detained.

“But we’re also very aware na meron siyang mga, kumbaga ‘yung mga kinasuhan niya for qualified human trafficking and for illegal recruitment are in facilities that she may be in also," Clavano said.

"So we will make sure hindi niya kasama po 'yung mga respondent sa kaso kung saan testigo po siya,” he added.

(But we are also very aware that the individuals she charged for qualified human trafficking and illegal recruitment may also be in the same facility as her.)

(So, we will ensure that she is not in the same facility as the respondents in the case where she is a witness.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News