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Rude awakening for Veloso's recruiter as 2 more 'victims' surface
The recruiter of overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso is likely in for a rude awakening over a new set of criminal charges after two other supposedly victims claimed they were also recruited by the same person who is now in police custody.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday revealed two more individuals have come out claiming they were victimized by recruiter Maria Kristina Sergio.
"Mayroon pa hong lumanatad na dalawa pa na... na-biktima rin sila 'di umano ng alleged recruiter na iyan," De Lima told reporters. She did not give further details regarding the identities or whereabouts of the victims.
Veloso was convicted of carrying 2.6 kilos of heroin to Indonesia from Malaysia in 2010. She was set to be executed via firing squad early Wednesday, but was given a last-minute reprieve by Indonesian authorities.
Indonesia's attorney general said it was agreed to hold off her execution so she could testify in the ongoing investigation against her recruiter in the Philippines and possibly against a West African drug ring that victimized her as an unwitting drug mule.
De Lima however said the two new cases would be treated as different and separate cases from Veloso's own complaint against Sergio, her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao who introduced Mary Jane to Sergio, and a certain "Ike."
As a "complaining witness," Veloso is a complainant in the criminal complaint filed last week by the National Bureau of Investigation against Sergio, Lacanilao and Ike on estafa, human trafficking and illegal recruitment, according to the Justice secretary.
"[Ngayon]... Ibang kaso naman po iyang... [sa dalawang iba pa na lumantad]," De Lima said.
Sergio (wearing dark glasses in the photo below) and Lacanilao are currently under protective custody of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Mary Jane the victim
For now, De Lima said the Philippine government is focused on Veloso's case.
"Pero itong kasong kay Mary Jane, sa kanya iyan. At siya na may personal knowledge sa mga nangyari na mag-pa-patunay sa sinasabi niya na siya ay isang biktima lang... that she was duped into carrying that luggage na may lamang illegal drugs doon," De Lima said.
The Justice chief also rejected calls for the Philippines to elevate Veloso's case to the international tribunal, saying the time isn't ripe because of the complex and significant nature of the case involving Indonesia.
"Not yet. I mean, huwag na muna natin itong pag-usapan kasi ang importante dito, [at] in-emphasize natin ito sa Indonesian authorities kahapon, ay iyong ginagalang natin iyong batas nila at iyong legal processes nila," De Lima said.
UP Professor Harry Roque Jr., a human rights and international lawyer, earlier suggested that an appeal for Veloso's drug conviction in Indonesia be made before the International Court of Justice as a "last ditch effort" to save the 30-year-old Mary Jane who is a mother of two.
For now the Philippines and Indonesia should rely on "mutual trust" in dealing with the matter, De Lima said.
"They are ASEAN neighbors and partners. So, this case must not at all affect the good relations between the Philippines and Indonesia," De Lima added.
PNoy, Widodo
During the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, President Benigno Aquino III had a five-minute talk with Indonesian President Widodo where he appealed for Veloso’s life. But Widodo insisted the Filipina will have to be executed in view of Indonesia's justice system and law on drug trafficking.
By early Wednesday supporters of Veloso, both in Indonesia and the Philippines, erupted in cheers after news broke out that her execution had been stayed.
Veloso’s eight other fellow inmates on death row – also scheduled to be executed – were not spared. They include two Australians, four Nigerians, a Brazilian and an Indonesian.
The executions came amid mounting opposition to capital punishment, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon eventually issuing a statement urging Indonesia to "commute all death sentences… [since] the death penalty has no place in the 21st century." – VS, GMA News
