Manalo raises Veloso case with Indonesian counterpart

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has taken up the case of Mary Jane Veloso with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed on Monday.

Cruz-Angeles said the Department of Foreign Affairs continued to look for solutions for Veloso, who was convicted of drug trafficking after she was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in Yogyakarta in 2010.

"On that we can confirm because Secretary Manalo did announce that. That's the only thing we can confirm," Cruz-Angeles said when asked if Manalo had discussed Veloso's case with Marsudi on Sunday.

Asked for details, Cruz-Angeles said, "Wala po, eh. They're very sensitive issues. As you know it is a public matter that she has been convicted but our DFA continues to look for solutions." 

On whether or not President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brought up the matter with Indonesian President Joko Widodo when they met on Monday, Cruz-Angeles said, "No, I cannot confirm that." 

Veloso's parents have asked Marcos to request Jokowi to give their daughter executive clemency.

Cesar and Celia Veloso said they got information that Marcos would fly to Indonesia for his state visit and thought it was the right opportunity to appeal for Mary Jane's freedom.

“Kaya't nakikiusap po kami sa inyo Mahal na Pangulo na humiling ng executive clemency kay Pangulong Joko Widodo ng Indonesia para palayain na si Mary Jane Veloso. Mahigit na po na labing dalawang (12) taon siya sa piitan at nakawalay sa kanyang dalawang anak," they said.

Veloso was meted the death penalty in 2010.

She denied the charges against her and insisted that her recruiters tricked her and gave her a suitcase that contained illegal drugs in its seams.

Veloso's recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, were charged with human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and estafa cases.—NB, GMA News