MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday insisted that it was still too early for him to decide on the appeal for clemency of convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso and that he would let the government’s legal experts review her case.
“We still have to have a look at really what her status is. And then of course, we’re aware of the request for clemency from her, from her family,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the change-of-command of the Philippine Air Force in Pasay City, adding “it would take a long time” before it could be determined whether or not freeing Veloso was “appropriate.”
“The Indonesian government did not give any conditions. So, it’s really up to us. But we’re still at the very preliminary stage,” he said.
Veloso arrived back in the Philippines last Dec. 18, after languishing in a prison in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for 14 years due to drug trafficking.
She was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015 but was spared after numerous pleadings from the Philippine government.
Veloso is now at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City where she is currently undergoing a five-day quarantine. This will be immediately followed by a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation and initial security classification.
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