Deputy Minister Of The Philippines Considers Mary Jane's Transfer As Indonesia's Diplomacy Victory With The Philippines

TANGERANG - Deputy Minister (Wamen) for Migration Affairs of the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eduardo Jose De Vega considers the transfer of convict Mary Jane as victory of Indonesian diplomacy with the Philippines.

"The transfer of Mary Jane is a diplomatic victory for good relations between the Philippines and Indonesia," Eduardo told reporters at Terminal 2F of Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang City, Tuesday, December 17.

He also expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for giving Mary Jane hope.

"We want to thank the Indonesian government, Mr. President Prabowo Subianto. We (also) thank the Indonesian government and those who finally realized Mary Jane's hopes and prayers," he said.

Eduardo ensured that his party would comply with the practical agreement signed by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Human Rights Imipas Yusril Ihza Mahendra with the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Philippines Raul Vasquez. According to him, the Philippines will comply with the agreement.

"We will comply with the agreement that was previously designed two weeks ago by the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Philippines, we will obey it, because the Philippines respects the rule of law," he said.

Previously, Acting Deputy Coordinator of Immigration and Corrections at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Rights, Kumham Impias, I Nyoman Gede Surya revealed that the death row convict Mary Jane Veloso will continue to serve her sentence in the Philippines.

Status masih terpidana. Saat di Filipina pun statusnya sama dan dia dipenjara di sana, kata Surya kepada wartawan di Terminal 2F Bandara Soekarno Hatta (Soetta), Kota Tangerang, Selasa, 17 Desember.

He explained that even though Mary Jane had been transferred, her status was still a convict. However, the punishment depends on the provisions in force in his country.

"The Philippine government has the authority to provide clemency, remission, or amnesty, according to the laws in force in the country," he said.