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Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is escorted by Indonesian police as she arrives at the court in Sleman in central Java island for a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Suryo Wibowo, AFP/File

Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is escorted by Indonesian police as she arrives at the court in Sleman in central Java island for a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. A Frenchman, two Australians, Brazilian and a Filipino are among a group of foreigners, who have lost their appeals for clemency and are facing imminent execution. Brazil and France have also been ramping up pressure on Jakarta, with Paris summoning Indonesia's envoy and the Brazilian president refusing to accept the credentials of the new Indonesian ambassador. Suryo, Wibowo, AFP Photo

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Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173209846060720150303-indonesia-smuggler-AFP.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is escorted by Indonesian police as she arrives at the court in Sleman in central Java island for a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Suryo Wibowo, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, is escorted by Indonesian police as she arrives at the court in Sleman in central Java island for a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. <em>Suryo Wibowo, AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Indonesian government is open to have Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. grant clemency to Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.</p><p>“That is to be discussed, but in the talks with (Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina) Jamoralin, they were open to the possible, eventual grant of clemency by our own president,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a Palace briefing.</p><p>Marcos Jr. announced that Manila and Jakarta have mutually agreed to Veloso’s return to the Philippines following years of negotiations and diplomacy.</p><p>The now 39-year-old mother of two was arrested and sentenced to death in Indonesia in 2010 for drug trafficking.</p><p>She made headlines in 2015 when she was given a last minute reprieve from execution following a personal appeal by the late former President Benigno Aquino III to the Indonesian government.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/20/mary-jane-veloso-coming-home-to-ph-marcos-jr-829">READ: Mary Jane Veloso returning to PH after 14 years of imprisonment in Indonesia -- Marcos Jr.</a></div><p>“So when she gets here, if she gets here, and when she gets here, she will not immediately be released – it means, we will commit to detain her until such time that we have mutual agreement that she could be given clemency. But at least, she would be here,” De Vega said.</p><p>According to the DFA official, Jakarta has not imposed any conditions on Veloso’s return.</p><p>The DOJ, meanwhile, said Indonesia would still retain legal custody of Veloso even when she is transferred to the Philippines.</p><p>“Well, perhaps on a more technical term, the legal custody would be Indonesia because we are asked to respect their laws and jurisprudence, but the physical custody will be with the Philippines,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano meanwhile said.</p><p>“However, the Indonesian government is aware that we do not have the death penalty here, which they respect as well, which is a consideration obviously when they also issued the policy of transferring certain detained individuals back to their own countries. They are aware that not all legal frameworks are the same, they are aware that we have no death penalty here and yet they have still agreed to look into the transfer.”</p><p>Details of Veloso’s return to the Philippines are still being finalized, but Philippine authorities hope that she may be able to go home in time for Christmas.</p><p>“Well, our President spoke, and there must be a reason for his optimism. Remember, he’s friends with the president—I will not speculate or give a time because we don’t want na mabulilyaso itong talks with Indonesia. They do know we want her as soon as possible, on Christmas,” De Vega said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/20/dmw-says-ready-to-assist-mary-jane-veloso-family-1628">READ: DMW says ready to assist Mary Jane Veloso, family</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABQlwBrmBM-krdtv&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>The Indonesian government is open to have Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. grant clemency to Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.</p>

The Indonesian government is open to have Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. grant clemency to Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

Jakarta open to have Marcos Jr grant clemency to Mary Jane Veloso

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Jakarta open to have Marcos Jr grant clemency to Mary Jane Veloso

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 20, 2024 07:02 PM PHT

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