Mary Jane Veloso, Jeane Napoles arrest, Pacquiao killer instinct | The wRap

Today on Rappler: 

• Filipina Mary Jane Veloso lives after Indonesia holds off her execution.
• The court of tax appeals orders the arrest of the daughter of alleged scam mastermind Janet Napoles.
• Manny Pacquiao says his killer instinct is back!

FILIPINO MARY JANE VELOSO WINS REPRIEVE

Filipino Mary Jane Veloso lives.
Indonesia stays her execution early Wednesday morning.
Eight other convicts were executed on the island of Nusa Kambangan around 12:25 am in Jakarta or 1:25 a.m. Manila time.
All condemned men reportedly refused blindfolds and sang hymns as they went to face the firing squad.
Veloso’s reprieve is based on the Philippines’ ‘last-minute’ plea to make her a state witness.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says “the purpose of the stay is to allow her to give testimony in connection to the complaint filed against her recruiters.”
On the legal process for Veloso Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi says “we must ensure Mary Jane Veloso deserves justice.”
Veloso’s alleged recruiter Kristina Sergio meets with top government officials at the Philippine National Police or PNP headquarters.
On Tuesday, Sergio surrendered to authorities due to death threats.
Authorities granted Sergio’s request for protective custody but the investigation on allegations against her continues.
Sergio faces human trafficking and illegal recruitment charges but insists she is innocent.
The Philippines says Sergio’s surrender ‘played a big part’ in Veloso’s reprieve.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN also plays an important role in saving Veloso.
The ASEAN treaty on legal assistance obliges countries to help each other fight crimes across their borders.
Netizens express their support in various social media platforms
as news of Veloso’s reprieve broke.
Protesters in Manila erupt into jubilant cries and Veloso’s family is stunned and overjoyed.
Veloso’s father Cesar expresses his sentiments on the reprieve.

CESAR VELOSO, FATHER OF MARY JANE VELOSO: Nagpapasalamat po kami na talagang tuwang-tuwa kami, na nakaligtas yung anak ko, na hindi isinama ni President Widodo.

(We are thankful and overjoyed President Widodo spared my daughter.)

Veloso is back in Yogyakarta at the Wirogunan prison.

COURT OF TAX APPEALS ORDERS ARREST OF JEANE NAPOLES

The Court of Tax Appeals orders the arrest of the daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles for failing to show up for her arraignment.
Jeane Napoles faces a tax evasion case worth almost P17.9-million or about $400,000.
The younger Napoles became infamous after photos of her extravagant lifestyle went viral online.
Her mother Janet is accused of conniving with lawmakers to steal millions in public funds through fake non-governmental organizations under the so-called pork barrel scam.

MNLF: PASS THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO LAW 

The Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF declares its support for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL.
MNLF chairman Datu Abul Khayr Alonto says the peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF and the government should be supported
because the people of Mindanao want peace.
Alonto calls on Filipino Muslims to be patient since the BBL is in its final phase.
Alonto adds “We, the Bangsamoro, are finally home and dawn is about to come.”
On Monday, thousands of Bangsamoro people held a peace rally in Marawi City to acknowledge the efforts of the government and the MILF.

NIGERIA RESCUES 300 WOMEN, GIRLS FROM BOKO HARAM

The Nigerian military on Tuesday claimed it rescued 200 girls and 93 women from a notorious Boko Haram stronghold.
Nigeria defense spokesman Chris Olukolade did not confirm if the hostages rescued were the girls kidnapped in 2014 or how long it will take for the hostages to be “screened and profiled.”
Boko Haram claimed the abduction of 276 girls from a secondary school in Chibok on April 14 last year.
Leader Abubakar Shekau vowed to “marry them off” or sell them as “slaves.”
Nigerian security forces traced the location of the kidnapped girls to the Sambisa Forest.
But defense officials and experts agreed they were likely separated over the last 13 months.

PACQUIAO READIES ‘KILLER INSTINCT’ FOR MAYWEATHER

Manny Pacquiao warns Floyd Mayweather Jr. he’s been honing his killer instinct.
In a fan rally in Las Vegas, Pacquiao says he’s ready to rumble, saying “my confidence is different than for other fights. I am not nervous. I am excited.”
Pacquiao says “I like being the underdog because my killer instinct and my focus are there.”
Pacquiao also tells his fans to take it easy on fight night.

MANNY PACQUIAO, BOXER: Are you excited? Don’t get nervous on Saturday. I’m the one who is going to fight in the ring, so relax!

Pacquiao adds, Mayweather is not the most dangerous fighter but admits he is “one of the most difficult.” – Rappler.com

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