Palace hopes Indonesian gov’t spares Mary Jane Veloso’s life

Mary Jane Veloso and her two children (screengrab from Jatamari TV footage)

MANILA — Malacanang said it hopes the Indonesian government will see the sincerity and determination of the Philippines on prosecuting the people who were instrumental to putting Mary Jane Veloso in the death row.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda renewed the Philippine government’s determination to go after the recruiters of Veloso to eventually convince the Indonesian government to spare her life.

“Nag-file na po tayo ng kaso sa mga illegal recruiters. Ito po ang ating commitment sa Indonesian government that as soon as we gather all the evidence, we will file the necessary case against those who put Mary Jane Veloso in a very difficult situation, where she is now,” Lacierda said over dzRB Radyo n Bayan.

“And we hope that the Indonesian government will see the sincerity, the determination of the Philippine government in our quest to find justice for Mary Jane Veloso, including prosecuting those responsible for her present situation right now.

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The Palace official also welcomed the help of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao in assisting Veloso achieve justice.

Lacierda said it will show the commitment of the Philippine government, through Congressman Pacquiao, that the country is looking after the welfare of its citizens, especially in the case of Veloso.

At the same time, Lacierda said the government is also committed to helping all other Filipinos languishing in jail overseas.

Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs has been quietly fighting for the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The DFA officials and personnel deserve commendation for their hard works in helping Filipinos incarcerated in other countries, he noted.

“Sila po (DFA personnel) ang nagbibigay ng mga legal counsel doon sa kanila. So patuloy ang ating pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan na nape-preso for one reason or another sa abroad.”