On Monday, a migrants’ rights group urged Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to seek mercy for suspected drúg mule Mary Jane Veloso, who has been incarcerated in Indonesia for the past 12 years.
Marcos Jr. is making his first formal state visit to Indonesia since taking office on June 30. He is scheduled to meet with his counterpart, Indonesian President Joko Widodo
His spokeswoman has stated that he will not be able to visit Veloso during his three-day stay.
Migrante International spokesman Joanna Concepcion told TeleRadyo that Marcos Jr. might seek mercy for the Filipino death row inmate.
“Gumugulong po ang kanyang legal case laban sa kanyang traffickers dito po sa Regional Trial Court sa Nueva Ecija pero po hindi po natin alam kung kalian po ito matatapos ‘no, kaya po ang hiling po ng magulang na gumawa po ng ibang paraan ang ating pangulo, meron po naman po siyang kapangyarihan na humingi ng clemency o pardon doon sa pangulo po ng Indonesia,” she stated.
Her case against her traffickers is continuing along, but we don’t know when a decision will be made, so we are urging the president to seek clemency from the Indonesian president.
According to Concepcion, Veloso’s situation should be regarded as an “urgent matter” during the Philippine president’s official visit.
“Malaking bagay kung hihingi po, mag-a-apela po ng clemency or pardon or di kaya amnesty si Pangulong Marcos kay President Widodo, kasi po dito po mas mapapabilis po yung kanyang paglaya,” she explained.
“Marami po biktima ng human trafficking sa buong mundo at pati na din dito sa Pilipinas, ito po’y isang pamamaraan na, dahil matagal umusad yung mga kaso sa korte, ito’y po isang mekanismo na pwedeng gamitin po ng ating administrasyon. Para maprotektahan, mabigyan ng hustisya din po yung ating mga kababayang biktima ng human trafficking,” she stated.
There are numerous victims of human trafficking across the world, including in the Philippines, yet cases proceed slowly in court. This is one method the government may use to provide justice to victims of human trafficking.
Veloso’s parents have written to Marcos Jr., requesting that he talk with Widodo regarding Veloso’s release.
According to Cesar Veloso, the president is now their sole chance for his daughter’s release.
“Talagang pinaglalaban po namin ‘yan, sana huwag naman niya po pababayaan dahil pangatlong presidente na po siya. Ang dalawa walang nagawa. Ang pag-asa na lang namin, siya,” he stated.
On the other hand, former Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte pointed out that former President Benigno Aquino III disregarded procedure in order to spare Veloso’s life before she was nearly killèd by firing squad in 2015.
“Doubtful that PNoy expected gratitude in return, but most certainly not lies. He broke protocol to get that reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso. Ask the Indonesian government,” she wrote.
