THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that the Philippines and Indonesia are in talks to create a “mutually agreed solution” in the case of Mary Jane Veloso.
This follows Indonesia’s statement that it will consider transferring Veloso to a prison in the Philippines based on the country’s request.
“I’d just like to confirm we’re doing all we can for Mary Jane Veloso. Certainly, the Indonesians and the Filipinos have been talking about this for some time, and we hope that we’ll come out with a mutually agreed solution, which will be to the utmost benefit for Miss Veloso and her family,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose De Vega in an interview on Friday.
“We’re hopeful that we can announce something positive soon,” he added.
Veloso, who was imprisoned in 2010, was sentenced to death that same year after 2.6 kg of heroin was discovered in her luggage.
Veloso’s execution was postponed when Manila informed Indonesia of the surrender of her recruiters in April 2015.
At that time, eight other drug convicts – seven foreigners and one Indonesian – were executed by firing squad.
On November 11, Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction said that Jakarta is currently considering prisoner transfer for foreign inmates, including Veloso, “in line with requests from the inmate’s home country.”
