Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina on death row in Indonesia is innocent and suspected members of the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS) exploited her ignorance when she was given a travelling bag where they slipped more than two kilos of heroin without her knowledge.
This is what suspected international drug courier-recruiter Ma. Cristina Sergio said in her counter-affidavit she submitted during the continuation of the preliminary hearing of the human trafficking and estafa charges against her, her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao and a man of African descent identified only as “Ike” yesterday afternoon.
Lacanilao also submitted his counter affidavit.
Both Sergio and Lacanilao also presented six witnesses to counter the allegations against them.
In her 31-page affidavit she subscribed before State Prosecutor Susan Azarcon, Sergio is convinced that Veloso did not know that the bag – which Ike and a certain “John” asked her to carry, contained illegal drugs.
“Ako ay naninindigan na si Mary Jane Veloso ay nabiktima lamang at pinagsamantalahan ang kanyang kahinaan sa pag-iisip, masidhing pangangailangan ng trabaho at ang kanyang likas na angkin niya mapagtiwala sa mga tao, kahit hindi niya kilala ((I believe that Mary Jane Veloso is a victim. They took advantage of her ignorance, her trusting nature and her need for work),” read Sergio’s affidavit.
“Ako ay buong pananalig at naniniwalang inosente si Mary Jane Veloso sa kasong pagdadala ng illegal na droga na mula Malaysia patungo ng Indonesia kung saan kinakaharap niya ang parusang bitay sa Indonesia (I believe that Mary Jane Veloso is innocent of brining illegal drugs from Malaysia en route to Indonesia where she was sentenced to death),” she added.
But while she shares the view that the suspects who victimized Veloso must be put to jail, Sergio insisted that she and Lacanilao never recruited the detained overseas Filipino worker in behalf of the WADS.
Manila Bulletin
