Filipino illegal recruitment couple's life sentence lauded

STO DOMINGO: The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) lauded the decision of the court imposing life sentence against the couple who allegedly sent to Indonesia Mary Jane Veloso in connection with the large-scale illegal recruitment charges filed against them by three women.

The sentence that also includes a penalty of PHP2 million was handed down by Regional Trial Court Branch 88 Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes against Julius Lacanilao and Maria Cristina Sergio.

The complaints were filed in May 2015 by Ana Marie Gonzales, Lorna Valino, and Jenalyn Paraiso who said they were, like Veloso, lured by the couple to work abroad.

Unlike Veloso, however, they did not pursue their applications.

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With the court’s decision, the NUPL which stands as private prosecutor, expressed belief that this will boost their bid to free Veloso from Indonesian prison.

Veloso was reportedly caught with 2.2 kilos of heroin in her luggage at the Yogyakarta airport in 2010.

She was later convicted and sentenced to death through firing squad.

“According to the court, the prosecution clearly proved the guilt of the couple. The large-scale illegal recruitment which was decided by the court is separate from the simple illegal recruitment and another estafa case filed by Veloso through her mother,” lawyer Josalee Deinla, spokesperson of NUPL, said.

Veloso, through her mother Celia, filed separate charges of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa against Sergio and Lacanilao.

“It can be remembered that Veloso was given a reprieve by the Indonesian government, by President Joko Widodo, because he wants to give her a chance to file the case against her recruiters,” Deinla said.

Veloso’s mother, Celia, also welcomed the decision in high spirit.

“I am happy. I feel that I can gradually see the freedom of Mary Jane,”Celia said.

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But Veloso’s father, Cesar, said he could not be totally happy until his daughter is freed. “My daughter is still in the death row,” he said.

Both Lacanilao and Sergio, who have been denying the charges, refused to comment on the court decision.

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