INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo assured President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. that his government would reexamine Mary Jane Veloso’s case.
”Yes, with the decision of the Indonesian government to look into the case filed by Mary Jane Veloso in the Philippines,” according to Secretary Cheloy Garafil, PCO.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed this on Thursday when asked if PBBM received a commitment from the Indonesian President regarding the matter.
Garafil mentioned that the Indonesian government is awaiting the decision of the Philippine court on the case filed by Veloso against her recruiter.
”In fact, the Indonesian government is waiting for the decision of the Philippine court on the case she filed,” Garafil added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) previously said that Veloso’s case would be discussed in meetings between Philippine and Indonesian officials.
Mary Jane Veloso is an overseas Filipino worker on death row since 2010.
On the said year, Veloso was arrested in Indonesia for drug trafficking, found guilty, and sentenced to death.
President Marcos hopes that Veloso’s case will progress, and that she will be granted clemency.
The PCO previously stated that President Bongbong Marcos would bring up Veloso’s case again during their bilateral meeting with President Jokowi.
Indonesian Pres. Widodo departs Philippines after successful 3-day official visit
Meanwhile, Widodo’s presidential plane left Villamor Airbase, Pasay City, after his successful 3-day official visit on January 11.
During his visit, the Widodo conducted a bilateral meeting with Marcos to strengthen bilateral ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.
The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in various areas, including political, security, and economic partnerships.
“I am pleased to inform you of the results of a successful visit of the President of Indonesia, President Joko Widodo here to Manila. We had a cordial and productive discussion on Philippine-Indonesia bilateral cooperation, taking the opportunity to reaffirm our two countries’ strong bilateral relations,” according to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
In a move to strengthen energy security cooperation, the leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Field of Energy.
They also addressed issues in the South China Sea and discussed strengthening border controls.
The Philippines and Indonesia also reiterated their commitment to the ‘universality’ of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
As part of Widodo’s official visit, he visited the Kopiko Philippines Corporation (KPC) instant coffee producer factory in Calamba, Laguna. Kopiko is an Indonesian food and beverage company owned by Mayora.
“In the field of the economy, to enhance trade, we have agreed to continue to open market access, and Indonesia seeks the Philippine’s support related to special safeguard measures on Indonesian coffee products,” Pres. Joko Widodo, Republic of Indonesia stated.
Additionally, Widodo visited the seaweed processing industry at W Hydrocolloids, Inc. in Carmona Plant, Cavite.
The Indonesian President expressed hope that Indonesia’s seaweed processing industry would strengthen and could be exported to countries like the Philippines.
During President Widodo’s departure ceremony at Villamor Airbase, present were Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Jamoralin, and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.
