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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Human rights groups issue appeal for Mary Jane Veloso's clemency

Human rights groups issue appeal for Mary Jane Veloso's clemency

Published Jun 27, 2023 06:03 am
Photo Courtesy of Migrante Internation/MANILA BULLETIN
Migrante International and other human rights group reaffirmed their appeal for the clemency and freedom of Filipina death-row convict Mary Jane Veloso during her family’s recent visit to Indonesia. On Monday, June 26, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) rights group Migrante International held a press conference following the two-week trip of the Veloso family and the Philippine delegation to her detention cell in Wonosari, Indonesia. Migrante International Chairperson Joanna Concepcion said the Veloso family sought assistance from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to facilitate their trip. "Hindi po naging madali ang proseso. Matagal din pong nagantay ang pamilya at sa buong proseso, kinakailangan ng pahihintulot mula sa iba't ibang ahensya at ng gobyerno sa Indonesia (The process was not easy. The family waited for a long time and throughout the process, permission was required from various agencies and the Indonesian government)," Concepcion said. Veloso’s parents and two sons were joined by Concepcion, Veloso's family lawyers Atty. Edre Olalia and Atty. Minnie Lopez of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), and Bishop Nonie Francisco from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in their travel to Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Photo Courtesy of Migrante Internation/MANILA BULLETIN
“Napakasaya ng aming pamilya. Pagkatapos ng matagal na panahon, nayakap na namin muli si Mary Jane. Hindi natulog si Mary Jane dahil nasasabik na makasama kami. Nakita niya ang dalawang anak niya, binata na. Nung nakita nila Mama nila, ayaw nila pakawalan, parating hinahalikan at niyayakap. Miss na miss na nila ang Mama nila (Our family is very happy. After a long time, we were able to hug Mary Jane. Mary Jane was unable to sleep because she has been longing to be reunited with us. She saw her two sons already grown into young men. When they saw their mom, they did not want to let go of her, always kissing and hugging her. They missed their mother so much)" said Celia Veloso, mother of Mary Jane. "Nakapagkwentuhan kami, nagdasal at nagmisa kami kung saan nakita namin si Mary Jane tumugtog ng gitara at piano. Aktibo kasi siya sa mga aktibidad sa simbahan (We were able to share stories, pray and attend mass where we were able to watch Mary Jane play the guitar and piano. She is very active in church activities),” she added. Representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta and the Department of Foreign Affairs- Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) in Manila were also present during the visit. Concepcion said the family was permitted to spend time with Mary Jane for two days on June 12 and 13. "After five long years since the last time they were together [in 2018], they were able to reunite and spend a significant time with Mary Jane for two days," Migrante International said. After the two-day visit, the family, together with the Philippine Delegation, went to Jakarta, Indonesia to speak with various human rights, interfaith and government organizations in Indonesia to appeal for Mary Jane's clemency. “At the same time, this reunion serves as a reminder that it has been a difficult 13-year journey for Mary Jane and her family, and we challenge President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to take more proactive actions to appeal to the Indonesian government to grant clemency for Mary Jane,” Concepcion also said. One of Veloso's lawyers, Lopez, thanked Mary Jane's supporters and advocates for expressing their commitment to campaigning for Mary Jane's freedom. "Ang pagpapatuloy ng kampanya para sa paglaya kay Mary Jane ay patunay na hindi siya nalimutan ng mundo. Bilang mga private lawyers ng pamilya Veloso, ni-reaffirm ng NUPL ang commitment para siguraduhing magkaroon ng hustisya ang sinapit ni Mary Jane (The continuing campaign for Mary Jane's release is proof that the world has not forgotten her. As the private lawyers of the Veloso family, NUPL reaffirms its commitment to ensure justice for Mary Jane)," Lopez stated. In October 2010, Mary Jane was accused of smuggling heroin into Indonesia and was sentenced by an Indonesian court to death by firing squad. She, together with her family and supporters, had pleaded her innocence and told the court that she was a victim of human trafficking and that her suitcase was only given to her by her recruiters. Mary Jane was supposed to be executed on April 29, 2015, but it was stayed following the surrender of her recruiters, Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao.

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