PH gov’t seeks executive clemency for Mary Jane Veloso


JAKARTA, Indonesia—Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo has asked his Indonesian counterpart to grant Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) on death row here, an executive clemency.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made the late announcement on Tuesday night after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left following a state visit.

“Inihain nya ito noong Sep. 4 sa kanyang counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, sa sidelines ng pagdalaw ng ating pangulo (He raised it on Sep. 4 with his Indonesian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, at the sidelines of the President’s state visit),” Cruz-Angeles said.

The Press Secretary said Marsudi acknowledged the government’s request and will raise the matter to their Ministry of Justice.

“Samantala naman, tuloy tuloy ang pagbigay ng consular services ng ating embahada kay Ms. Veloso (On the other hand, our embassy continues to provide consular services to Veloso),” she added.

Veloso, who was caught in Yogyakarta in 2010 with several packs of heroin, is currently in good condition at a women’s penitentiary here, according to Cruz-Angeles.

She has also been given a legal counsel to protect her, she added.