A report on Jakarta post said on Monday that President Duterte has given the Indonesian government the "go-ahead" to execute Filipina drug convict Mary Jane Veloso.
DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said the DFA was verifying the veracity of this news report. The report quoted Indonesian President Joko Widodo as saying: "President Duterte has given the go-
ahead to proceed with the execution."
“I have explained to [Duterte] about Mary Jane’s situation and I told him that Mary Jane [has been found guilty] for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. I also told him about the delay in the execution during the meeting," Widodo reportedly told Antara News Agency in Serang, Banten.
The National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), which is helping Veloso and her parents in the Philippines, meanwhile refused to comment on the report pending "indubitable A1 confirmation."
One of Veloso's Filipino lawyers, Edre Olalia, meanwhile, said they would first check whether the report is true.
Meantime, the family of Veloso is "in shock" over the news reports, according to a non- government organization assisting the Velosos.
"Migrante and the Veloso family are in shock over the news coming from Jakarta. We demand an immediate explanation from President Duterte and Secretary [Perfecto] Yasay, both duty-bound to defend the rights of Filipinos overseas, especially drug trafficking victims like Mary Jane," said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson.
President Duterte went to Indonesia Thursday night after attending the ASEAN Summit in Laos. Before departing from Laos on Monday, Duterte said he would intercede on behalf of Veloso, but added he is willing to accept any decision on her fate.
However, Veloso maintains she is innocent and was only tricked by her alleged recruiter into smuggling heroin.
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