President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that he had discussed the case of death row convict Mary Jane Veloso with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to Indonesia.
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The President had said, he first wanted to talk with Veloso’s family before disclosing any detail on the result of his conversation with Widodo.
It was clarified further in the DFA statement that never did Duterte give the so-called green light to the execution of Veloso “other than to tell the Indonesian President that he respects their judicial processes and will accept whatever the final decision they will arrive at regarding her case”.
Jokowi said that Duterte has given him permission to execute of Mary Jane Veloso.
The Jakarta Post reported on Monday afternoon that Widodo was told to ‘go ahead’ with the execution in his meeting with Duterte last week.
Duterte, according to Abella, does not believe he was misinterpreted by Widodo.
Asked if Duterte was surprised at the news of his “greenlighting” the execution, Abella said, “I don’t know if he was surprised but he certainly had a very quick answer”. She has maintained her innocence, insisting she was an unknowing drug mule.
Veloso’s execution by firing squad was put on hold in 2015 at the last minute upon the Aquino government’s intercession.
In late July, Indonesia executed one national and three foreigners convicted of drug smuggling.
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Veloso was spared after someone suspected of recruiting her and tricking her into carrying drugs into Indonesia turned themselves in to authorities in the Philippines.
