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) -– The family of Mary Jane Veloso, the Pinay facing death by firing squad for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has received the order of execution, according to one of their lawyers.
Atty. Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), said on Saturday that the order of execution was given to the family shortly before midnight.
“Yung order of execution inacknowledge na ng pamilya–yung magulang at saka kapatid–pero hindi sila sumangayon sa nilalaman ng order na yun at lalo yung kanyang mga epekto,” Olalia said.
Olalia said that the order did not contain a fixed date of execution. He explained that the mandated 72-hour advance notice has to be given to the family, the lawyers and the embassy.
“Bagamat may order of execution, hindi pa po itinatakda ang petsa ng pagpapatupad nito, general order pa ho siya at kailangan pang mayrooong advance written notice tatlong araw bago ito tuluyang ipatupad kung ipapatupad,” he said.
“At ang ating legal remedy buhay pa yan at maaari pang may pag-asang mapigilan,” he said.
On Friday, the Philippine embassy in Indonesia filed the second judicial review after completing the necessary documents, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Olalia also disclosed that Veloso’s immediate family was allowed to visit her from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Accompanying the Veloso family are the Indonesian and Filipino lawyers of NUPL, the embassy and Mary Jane’s spiritual adviser.
For her mother’s part, Celia Veloso said that the first thing she would do when they meet is to hug and kiss her daughter.
“Hindi ko po alam kung makakapagsalita ako mamaya, pero ang alam ko lang po yayakapin ko siya at paghahalikan ng marami. Yun lang po ang alam ko,” she said.
She also expressed the family’s gratitude to the outpouring of support and continued prayers for her daughter.
“Sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa anak ko, sana po sa huli kasama pa namin sila at dagdagan pa po natin ang panalangin at umaasa po kaming buong pamilya Veloso na lahat ng taong sumususporta sa amin ay gagabay sa amin. Maraming salamat sa kanilang lahat,” she said.
The Pinay was nabbed at the Yogyakarta airport in 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was among the prisoners transferred to the Nusa Kamabangan prison early morning Friday. (MNS)