‘People’s champ’ Pacquiao to meet Mary Jane Veloso July 10

Voltaire Tupaz

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‘People’s champ’ Pacquiao to meet Mary Jane Veloso July 10
The visit of Manny Pacquiao comes as the justice department approves the filing of charges against the recruiters of Mary Jane

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is set to visit Filipino death row convict Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia Friday morning, according to an Indonesian affiliate organization of Migrante International. 

“According to Jaringan Buruh Migran Indonesia (JBMI), Pacquiao’s letter-request to visit Mary Jane is still being processed, but he is scheduled to meet with her at 8:00 am tomorrow, July 10, Indonesia time,” Migrante International said.

JBMI noted that Pacquiao’s visit will be brief because he is scheduled to return to Jakarta at 10:00 am. 

JBMI and Mary Jane’s supporters in Indonesia will give “batiks” to the Pacquiaos as a sign of gratitude for their support for the #SaveMaryJane campaign.

Pacquiao, who is vice chair of the House committee on migrant workers’ affairs, had joined Filipinos and the international community in asking Indonesian President Joko Widodo to save Veloso who was set to be executed for drug trafficking charges. (READ: Pacquiao begs Indonesian leader: Save Mary Jane

When he was training for his May 2 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr, Pacquiao promised he would visit Veloso after the bout.

On Tuesday, July 7, Pacquiao posted a photo of him and his wife on his Instagram account, saying they were off to Indonesia.  

On our way to Indonesia!

A photo posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on

On Wednesday, July 8, Pacquiao indicated in another Instagram post that he was already in Yogyakarta.

Feeding the fish. #Yogyakarta #Indonesia

A photo posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on

Veloso was scheduled for execution on April 29  but was granted a last-minute reprieve following an international, multisectoral effort to save her life. She is detained at the Wirongunan prison in Yogyakarta, where she awaits developments on her case and the government appeal to spare her from execution.

The justice department on Thursday, July 9, approved the filing of illegal recruitment, estafa, and qualified human trafficking charges on Friday, July 10, against the recruiters of Veloso after it found probable cause to indict them.

The Department of Justice said recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, both of whom are already in jail for a separate large-scale illegal recruitment case, will face charges. They will be charged along with a certain “Ike” who supposedly provided Veloso the luggage which contained 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in its linings.

According to Veloso’s sister, Maritess Veloso-Laurente, the last time they spoke on the phone this month, Veloso always asked about her case. 

Nagtatanong siya palagi: ‘Kumusta na ang kaso?’ Kinakamusta niya mga anak niya,” she said. (She always asks: “How’s the case?” She always asks about her sons.)

Laurente thanked the Pacquiaos in advance for their concern. She is hoping the visit will help further speed up the legal proceedings in the Philippines. – Rappler.com

 

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