Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said there is a possibility that Mary Jane Veloso, a convicted drug Mule in Indonesia, will be released based on the outcome of pending cases against her recruiters.
Aguirre said he is confident that the Indonesian government will wait for the verdict of the case against Veloso's recuiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao. The case is being heard at the Nueva Ecija Trial Court.
"For example, if the Nueva Ecija court rules that Mary Jane is indeed a victim and that the liability is with the syndicate that preyed on her, then Mary Jane could be released in the eyes of Indonesian law that she is merely a victim and actually not guilty of the offense charges against her," the Justice Secretary said.
The DOJ chief added there are nine people who will execute an affidavit against the alleged members of syndicates who recruited Veloso.
Veloso was arrested in 2010 for smuggling heroin into Indonesia and was set to be executed in April 2015 but received a temporary reprieve hours before execution.
Aguirre said the two countries respect each other's laws, citing the recent release of 177 Indonesians intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last August 19 for illegal possession of Philippine passports.
He explained President Rodrigo Duterte ordered their release because they were just victims of local syndicate involved in illegal passport issuance, adding that the gesture is also a sign of goodwill between the two countries.
Moreover, the Justice chief said there was really a mistake about media reports on Duterte's statements during his recent meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
He defended Duterte on reports that the latter gave a "go signal" to his Indonesian counterpart to execute the convicted Filipina. He doubts the President will give such a statement, noting that the President fully respects the laws of Indonesia.
Source / Image: PhilNews
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