Veloso not in next wave of executions – Indonesian official

MANILA, Philippines – Mary Jane Veloso will not be put on the list for the next wave of executions in Indonesia because her case depends on a legal process in the Philippines which may require her testimony, the office of Indonesia’s Attorney General said. 

Asked if Veloso would be put on the next list after President Joko Widodo claimed to hear President Rodrigo Duterte give the go signal, Spokesman for Attorney General’s Office Muhammad Rum said, “No. We are not [just focused] only on the issue of executions. We execute according to the legal process in our country. So whether she will be put on the list or not, we shall see whether the legal process in the Philippines no longer requires [Mary Jane’s] testimony.”

Rum was interviewed by media on Tuesday, September 13, a day after Malacañang Palace clarified that Duterte did not greenlight Veloso’s execution. (READ: Duterte: To beg for Veloso’s life amidst PH drug war ‘leaves bad taste’)

In the eyes of Indonesia’s judicial process, Veloso’s execution depends on legal processes in the Philippines, particularly the investigation into drug trafficking after the surrender of Veloso’s alleged recruiter Maria Cristina Sergio. 

“We respect the ongoing legal process in the Philippines which is about human trafficking. [Mary Jane’s] testimony is needed to clear up the case in the Philippines, therefore we have postponed the execution,” said Rum.

The Philippine government, in its last-minute plea to spare Veloso’s life, said Veloso could provide valuable information that could lead to the crackdown of the drug syndicates that recruited her.

Indonesia has not yet received any update on Veloso’s case.

“Up ’til now we have not received any word of the latest developments, but as I said, we still await the legal process in the Philippines. Because, before we carry out the law in our country, [the law] in the Philippines is also respected,” said Rum.

Without updates either from Indonesian or Philippine courts, no final decision has been made on Veloso.

“What is clear is that there is no final decision. There is no decision regarding the legal process that needs the legal process in the Philippines,” said Rum. 

Veloso, in death row for allegedly smuggling heroin into Indonesia, claims to have been duped by a recruiter into carrying drugs.

She was granted a reprieve from execution in April 2015 after a “last-minute plea” from the Philippine government. – Rappler.com