Indonesia says clemency for Veloso up to Marcos

Indonesia will fully respect whatever decision President Marcos makes on the grant of clemency to Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas Filipino worker saved from execution on drug trafficking charges.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO

In a video statement, Indonesian Chief Minister for Law and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Wednesday that Veloso would be transferred to the Philippines in response to Manila's request for pardon.

"We created a new policy that we had never done before. Not to release or give pardon to foreigners convicted by our court but instead we created a policy that is called transfer of prisoners," Yusril said.

He said that the Philippine government or other countries that wish for the transfer of prisoners must acknowledge and respect the verdict of Indonesian court, and Indonesia can prosecute their citizens if they commit a crime.

The countries should respect and not to question the verdict of imprisonment, life sentence or the death penalty, and they must accept it.

"So for example, that is the case, then she (Veloso) will serve a life sentence in the Philippines instead based on the verdict of the Indonesian court. And we will fully respect the decision by the authority of President Marcos in enforcing their law in their country," Yusril said.

"The Philippines had abolished the death penalty in their law system, and when she (Veloso) had returned to the Philippines, it will be the authority of the President (Marcos) to give pardon (from the Indonesian death penalty sentence)," he said.

Indonesia reduces Veloso's sentence

President Marcos yesterday said that Indonesia has lowered the death sentence of Veloso to life imprisonment and a clemency for her is "on the table." In a media interview, Marcos said Veloso's sentence was reduced because of the Philippines' ties with Indonesia.

"Since we have good relations (with Indonesia), they found a way. This is the first time they did this," he said.