Duterte mum of talks with Widodo on Mary Jane
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he took up the case of drug convict Mary Jane Veloso with Indonesia President Joko Widodo but he refused to reveal details of their conversation.
Speaking to reporters in a news briefing at Davao International Airport, Duterte said Veloso's case was among the topics he discussed with Widodo during his working visit to Indonesia.
"This was one of the topics of our conversation...There were a lot to cover about security arrangements including the Filipinos who are in jail facing charges in Indonesia," said Duterte.
When asked if Widodo showed a little bit of willingness to consider the Philippine government's appeal not to execute Veloso, Duterte was evasive.
"I said there are things which I cannot divulge now because it will not be in keeping with good manners and right conduct. Let me talk to the family first," he said.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose, in a text message to the Daily Manila Shimbun, said :”what was agreed upon was that we will continue with the existing arrangement wherein we proceed with the case filed versus the alleged recruiter of Mary Jane “
“If at the end of the trial it is proven that Mary Jane was a victim, then we can use this to request another judicial review,” added Jose.
Veloso was sentenced to death for bringing to Indonesia 2.6 kilograms of heroin
to Indonesia in 2010.
She was to be executed by firing squad on April 28, 2015. Her execution was put on hold minutes before she would be shot as the Indonesian attorney general granted an appeal from the Philippine government to allow her to testify against her recruiters who allegedly duped her into bringing prohibited drugs in Indonesia. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS
