No word from Indonesia on Mary Jane’s execution

MANILA, Philippines - The Indonesian government has not informed the Philippine embassy in Jakarta that the execution of convicted Filipino drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso will be carried out.

Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said yesterday the embassy has not received any official notification on Veloso’s execution.

“Technically speaking, Mary Jane Veloso is still on death row. She was not given clemency,” Jose said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

The Philippines can again ask the Indonesian government to grant Veloso clemency if it can be proven that she was a victim, he said.

In April 2015, Veloso was granted reprieve at the last minute and spared from execution, although Indonesia carried out the execution of eight other drug convicts.

The 30-year-old single mother, who left the Philippines for Kuala Lumpur, claimed she was asked by a friend to bring suitcases to Indonesia, unaware that the baggage contained illegal drugs.

Veloso was arrested at the Yogyakarta Airport on April 25, 2010 for possession of 2.6 kilograms of heroin.