Supporters rally outside the Indonesian Embassy in Makati City on Friday appealing for clemency for Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia. Veloso has been moved to an island prison and is awaiting final word on her execution from Indonesian authorities. (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Mary Jane Veloso is innocent.
This is the claim of Veloso’s alleged illegal recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, in a 31-page counter-affidavit that will form part of her defense on human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa charges pending with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
While Sergio denied being part of an international drug syndicate behind the 2.6 kilograms of heroin seized from Veloso by Indonesian authorities in 2010 that eventually led to the death sentence meted on Veloso for drug trafficking, she stressed that Veloso knew nothing about the contraband.
“Ako ay buong pananalig at naniniwalang inosente si Mary Jane Veloso sa kasong pagdadala ng illegal na droga na mula Malaysia patungo ng Indonesia kung saan kinakaharap niya ang parusang bitay sa Indonesia; base sa pag-uusap namin noong ikinuwento niya ang pakikipag-usap niya sa dalawang mukhang Aprikano na maitim ang balat na si “Ike” at “John” at ang kinahinatnan niya sa Indonesia, malinaw na si Mary Jane ay nabiktima lamang ng mga lalaking kumausap sa amin at sa matinding nais niyang matulungan ng husto ang kanyang pamilya sa kahirapan ay mas pinili niyang gawin na agad ang trabahong pinagdadala siya ng “hand-carry” bag papuntang Indonesia at malamang ay binayaran siya para dito”.
“Ako ay naniniwalang hindi talaga alam ni Mary Jane Veloso na bigla siyang pagdadalahin ng maleta imbes na hand-carry bag lamang, ng mga nakipag-usap sa kanya na mga lalaking maiitim ang balat at hindi rin niya ito alam na siya ay pinagdala ng ipinagbabawal na droga; ako ay naninindigan na si Mary Jane Veloso ay nabiktima lamang at pinagsamantalahan ang kanyang kahinaan sa pag-iisip, masidhing pangangailanan ng trabaho at ang kanyang likas na angkin nya mapagtiwala sa mga tao, kahit hindi niya kilala” Sergio’s counter-affidavit read.
Sergio admitted that she brought Veloso with her to Malaysia on April 22, 2010, but claimed that it was upon the insistence of Veloso and her husband, Michael Candelaria. Sergio claimed that Veloso and Candelaria pleaded for Sergio to bring Veloso along with her on her scheduled trip to Malaysia so that the latter could land a job. Sergio admits that she paid for Veloso’s fare, but clarifies that it was a debt Veloso would later pay.
Sergio further claimed that it was Veloso who transacted with two African-looking men, only known as “John” and “Ike,” who introduced themselves to both women in a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Sergio said she even warned Veloso not to trust the foreigners.
The men whom Veloso was talking to allegedly offered her a job – that of merely carrying luggage to Indonesia.
Sergio claimed that she advised Veloso not to take the offer since a job as household help in the house of a Malaysian Ambassador would be available for Veloso in a few days’ time.
“Kinumbinse ko ulit si Mary Jane na huwag na umalis at antayin na lamang yun kay Ate Cecil, pero sa pakiwari ko ay mukhang desidido na at magiit siya na ituloy ang trabahong pinapagawa sa kanya, kaya sumagot si Mary Jane na ‘Ok lang Ate Tin, kasi magdadala lang naman ng bag.’; pinaalalahanan ko si Mary Jane na ‘Baka kung ano laman nyan?’ pero sumagot si Mary Jane na mukhang pursigido na at hindi na papapigil, ‘Hindi naman siguro Ate,’” the counter-affidavit read.
Sergio insisted that she should be absolved of human trafficking and illegal recruitment because she never promised Veloso any job; as to the estafa charges, Sergio said there is no truth to Veloso’s claims that she took Veloso and Candelaria’s tricycle.
Sergio said she and live-in partner Julius Lacanilao, also a respondent in the cases, sought police protective custody after receiving threats from Candelaria and Veloso’s family. The threats were allegedly made when Veloso was already scheduled to be executed.
“Ako ay nanunumpa na wala kaming kinalaman ni Julius Lacanilao sa nangyari kay Mary Jane kung saan siya ay pinagbitbit ng maleta na may laman na illegal na droga mula Malaysia patungong Indonesia dahil hinding-hindi namin ito maatiman gawin sa kapwa namin dahil hindi naman kami mga kriminal at hindi naming magagawang ipahamak ng kapwa naming kababayan tulad ni Mary Jane Veloso,” the counter-affidavit read.
Sergio and Lacanilao’s counter-affidavits will be submitted to the DOJ on Wednesday afternoon. (MNS)