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by Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
The Department of Justice (DOJ) task force — which is composed of state prosecutors, investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and a legal staff — dedicated to explore all legal options to save Mary Jane Veloso from execution began its work today, Thu, Apr 30.
The task force was directed by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to do case build up on the illegal drugs aspect of Veloso’s case, considering that the human trafficking aspect is already pending with the department.
Asked if the DOJ task force will push for a re-investigation and retrial of Veloso’s case on the basis of possible new evidence amid the surfacing of her alleged recruiter Kristina Sergio, De Lima said the matter is too sensitive to warrant any premature or speculative statements.
“I will refuse to comment on that, for now,” De Lima said.
The justice chief said any actions the Philippine government will take to save Veloso from execution will have to be done in the context of what legal options are available to Veloso based on Indonesia’s justice system.
De Lima, however, said a plea for commutation of sentence on the basis of Veloso being a victim of human trafficking may be an option the Philippine government may take.
The conviction of Veloso has reached Indonesia’s Supreme Court, which has affirmed the execution penalty meted by its lower courts.
Veloso was arrested by Indonesian authorities in 2010 for bringing in 2.6 kilograms of heroin into the country. She claims she had no knowledge about the presence of the illegal substance in her luggage which was merely handed to her in Malaysia.
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
Photo: News clip
