Recruiter says Filipina on Indonesian death row is innocent

The alleged “recruiter” of Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, who is on Indonesian death row for drug smuggling, has confirmed portions of the condemned maid’s testimony, bolstering her narrative before the Indonesian court. In 31-page counter-affidavit before a Philippine court, Cristina Sergio affirmed that her neighbor Veloso was innocent of drug trafficking, and that she was only duped by two African-looking men whom they met while they were in Malaysia in April 2010. Veloso was supposed to be executed by firing squad on April 29, 2015, but got a last-minute reprieve hours after Sergio surrendered to local authorities because of alleged threats to her life and her live-in partner, Julius Lacanilao. At least 3 other victims of Sergio and Lacanilao’s illegal recruitment activities have since surfaced to file complaints.

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