The race to save Mary Jean Veloso, the convicted Filipina drug courier in Indonesia that is set to be executed via firing squad on April 28 continue. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has a brief meeting with the Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia appealing for the life of Veloso. Report says that according to Aquino, Widodo was sympathetic consulted with the Indonesian Attorney General on the legal issues.
The Philippine government appealed twice to Widodo for the clemency of Veloso. The first appeal was rejected whereas the Indonesian President said that Philippines should respect the law of Indonesia. Still the government continues to beg Widodo for the clemency and according to the reports of Rappler the the Philippines argued that Veloso is a victim of human trafficking, and does not deserve the death penalty. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs reported that the second appeal should “technically” stop Veloso’s execution.
Meanwhile, celebrities and influential personalities show support to save Mary Jane including the People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao that is set to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 (US Time). In his message to Widodo, Pacquaio begs him to spare Veloso from execution. He said that he will be fighting against Mayweather in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describe the fight as the fight of the century and begs him to spare Veloso which will be a great morale booster if in my own little way I can save a life. He added that he will be dedicating the fight to the whole Asian people which include the Philippines and Indonesia.
Veloso is tentatively set to face her execution on via firing squad at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. Will there be a last minute of intervention? The Filipino people continue to hope and pray.
