Celia Veloso, mother of Mary Jane Veloso, raises her fist before answering questions at a briefing at the Migrante headquarters on Friday. She blames the Philippine government for her daughter’s conviction and death sentence for trafficking illegal drugs in Indonesia. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Despite their family’s gratitude toward the outpouring of love and support for Mary Jane Veloso, her mother Celia Veloso on Friday aired her grievances towards the Aquino administration.
In a press conference following their arrival from Indonesia, Celia thanked supporters, particularly those who introduced them to Migrante International.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo, nang dahil sa inyo ay nakilala kami nila Ma’am Connie [Regalado, Migrante International chairperson]. Matagal na panahon na natulog ang kaso ng anak ko. Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga pari, teacher, kabataan na sumusuporta sa anak ko at sa mga nasa ibang bansa. Kung hindi sa inyong tulong ay hindi ko alam at baka nawalan na ako ng bunso,” she said.
She added: “Ngayon ay nandito na kami sa Pilipinas ay marami kaming sisingilin sa gobyerno. Sabi nila sa kanila nanggaling kung bakit hindi natuloy ang bitay ng anak ko, hindi totoo ‘yon.”
To President Benigno Aquino III, Celia said, “Hanggang sa ngayon, niloko pa rin kami. Akala namin, siya ang gumawa ng paraan para mailigtas ang anak ko.”
Celia also accused the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of hiding them from the Indonesian media while they were there waiting on the fate of her daughter.
“Isa pa ‘yung DFA, para kaming itinatago. Hirap na hirap po kami. Gusto naming magpa-media, hindi kami ma-media. Gusto naming magpasalamat sa presidente ng Indonesia.”
Mary Jane’s sister, Marites, said the DFA had barred them from talking to the media.
Malacañang, meanwhile, refused to comment on Celia’s statemen
Mary Jane, who was convicted for drug smuggling, was spared from execution by the Indonesian government early Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Attorney General there said it was postponed upon the “request from the Philippine president,” who reportedly informed them that Mary Jane’s alleged recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, has turned herself in to authorities in the Philippines.
However, one of Veloso’s lawyers credited Anis Hidayah, the executive director of a Jakarta-based pro-migrants group Migrant Care, for convincing Widodo to put the 30-year-old Filipina’s execution on hold. (MNS)