Pre-trial vs Mary Jane Veloso's recruiters set

MANILA, Philippines - The pre-trial of the large-scale illegal recruitment against the alleged recruiters of convicted Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso has been scheduled on September 18.

The Baloc Regional Trial Court Branch 37 in Nueva Ecija set the pre-trial of the illegal recruitment complaint filed by three of Veloso's neighbors against Maria Cristina Sergio and her live-in partner Julis Lacanilao.

Veloso's legal counsel, Edre Olalia, also asked the court to conduct the arraignment of the qualified human trafficking case filed by Veloso against Sergio and Lacanilao on the same date.

The House of Representatives committee on overseas migrant affairs, meanwhile, has submitted the petition to recall Philippine consul general to Jakarta, Indonesia Roberto Manalo.

Olalia said Manalo allegedly failed to provide assistance to Filipinos handling the legal aspect of Veloso's case in Indonesia.

Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking and was sentenced to death in Indonesia but was granted a last-minute temporary reprieve following the surrender of her alleged recruiters.

The Department of Justice has earlier approved the filing of criminal charges against Sergio and Lacanilao.