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JAKARTA, Indonesia – Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, who is on death row for allegedly smuggling drugs in the country, will not be among the next round of criminals executed by the Indonesian government.
In September, Indonesia halted executions, saying it was not their priority at the moment, but has recently announced it would resume them again.
The update raised fears as to whether Veloso would be among those to be executed, but the Attorney General’s Office quelled concerns of Veloso’s inclusion. (IN PHOTOS: Mary Jane exactly one year after escaping execution)
“We respect the legal process that is taking place in the Philippines,” said Attorney General HM Prasetyo, as quoted by local reports.
He did not disclose as to when the next round of executions would be, only saying it would not be in May, and that “it is only a matter of time.”
Indonesia has been in the spotlight in past months due to their death penalty, specifically their executions of foreign nationals.
Australia, for instance, had mounted a sustained campaign to save its citizens, who had been on death row for almost a decade, with the prime minister repeatedly appealing for them to be spared. The appeals did not work.
Amnesty International has also condemned the executions as “utterly reprehensible” in a statement from research director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Rupert Abbott.
The Penal Code of Indonesia states that death-sentenced inmates are to be executed by firing squad, out of public view. The inmate is informed of his or her execution only 72 hours in advance. The inmate can stand or sit, and have his or her eyes covered by a blindfold or a hood.
Case pending
On April 29, 2015, the execution of Veloso, one of 9 drug convicts scheduled for execution, was delayed.
The 8 other drug trafficking convicts – which included 7 foreigners and one Indonesian – were put to death early that morning on a prison island after Indonesia defied international criticism and heartrending pleas from relatives.
Prasetyo said an exception was made for Veloso “because there was a last-minute plea from the Philippine President. There was someone who surrendered today. She claimed she was the one who recruited Mary Jane.”
In 2010, Indonesia sentenced the 30-year-old Veloso to death on charges of drug smuggling. Veloso, a single mother of two from Nueva Ecija, had flown to Malaysia with the intention of securing a job as a domestic helper.
She claimed that her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, had duped her into flying to Indonesia and bringing a suitcase with 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in the lining. Veloso has consistently maintained her innocence.
Sergio’s case is pending in Philippine courts.
In January however, Prasetyo told Rappler they have not yet decided when to execute Veloso, but they “are ready” if ever it is ordered. READ: Indonesia executions one year on: Mary Jane lives but death penalty questions linger)
He said however, that the government is still waiting for the outcome of Sergio’s ongoing case – although a guilty verdict will not automatically change her status of being on death row.
“We will look at the verdict, perhaps the verdict can be new evidence to appeal for clemency from the president,” he said. “But surely Mary Jane will not be free from punishment.”
He added, “The fact is that she smuggled drugs to Indonesia, and she was caught red handed at the airport.”
Urged whether the “punishment” means death, Prasetyo only said, “we’ll see.” – Rappler.com
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