Malacañang on Friday said the Philippine government is determined to protect the rights of convicted Filipino drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso, who is still in Indonesia awaiting the final resolution of her death sentence.
“We have not received any official word. We have always been determined to protect the rights of Ms. Veloso and ensure that she is not unjustly treated,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., said in a statement.
“If confirmed, reports on the willingness of Indonesia to allow the legal processes in the Philippines involving Ms. Veloso to take their course are welcome,” said Coloma.
Veloso, whose execution was reprieved on April 26, 2015, got a new lease on life after the Indonesian government did not include her name in the next batch of convicts to be executed within the year, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The DFA said Veloso was temporarily spared after a woman who allegedly recruited her to be a drug courier gave herself up to police
The 31-year-old Filipina is on death row for allegedly smuggling drugs into Indonesia.
The DFA said it filed another appeal to the Indonesian government to spare the life of Veloso, saying she is a victim of human trafficking.
The Philippine government appealed for a judicial review of Veloso’s case.
Indonesia granted the Philippine government’s request last year and gave Veloso a last-minute reprieve to allow her to testify against her recruiters.
Veloso was arrested at the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010 after she was found to have 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.
The DFA said a letter, dated April 30, quoted Indonesia Attorney General Prasetyo as saying that they “respect the legal process that is taking place in the Philippines.”
Her alleged recruiters are currently facing trial in Nueva Ecija.