PNoy's request spared Mary Jane Veloso's life — Indonesian Attorney General

A request from President Benigno Aquino III was instrumental in Indonesia's decision to grant a reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina facing execution after being convicted of drug trafficking.

Veloso was spared from execution early Wednesday, while eight other drug convicts were executed in Indonesia.

In a text message to media, Tony Spontana, the spokesman for Indonesia's Attorney General said: "There was a request from the Philippine president regarding the perpetrator who's suspected of committing human trafficking and surrendered in the Philippines. MJ is needed for her testimony."

The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, only released a brief statement on the development.

"We are relieved that the execution of Mary Jane Veloso was not carried out tonight," said DFA spokesman Charles Jose.

"The Lord has answered our prayers."

Jose declined to comment further when pressed for details.

Mutual interest

On Tuesday morning, Aquino proposed to the Indonesian government that Veloso be turned into a witness to identify the criminal group that used her to transport illegal drugs.

The request came as Maria Kristina Sergio, the recruiter who allegedly tricked her into bringing a suitcase laden with 2.6 kilograms of heroin to Indonesia on April 2010, turned herself in to authorities on Tuesday.

Charges of illegal recruitment, human trafficking and estafa have been filed against Servio.

“We presented [to Indonesia] that it seems to serve both of our interests to keep her [Veloso] alive to be able to testify and serve the ends of justice for both our concerns,” Aquino told reporters in Malaysia.
 
“She does present an opportunity right now to be able to uncover all the participants and start the process of bringing them to the bars of justice. Absent her, that becomes very difficult,” he added.

On Tuesday afternoon, Indonesian president Joko Widodo called for an emergency meeting with his officials to discuss the Veloso case. -- JST, GMA News