Positive turn for MJ, but ‘pursuit’ continues

In her sworn counteraffidavit filed during the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice, Cristina Sergio finally made an unequivocal and categorical admission: Mary Jane Veloso is absolutely innocent; that she truly has no knowledge that she was carrying illegal drugs to Indonesia when she was victimized by two males who supposedly made their acquaintance in Malaysia. This is the ultimate fact, a positive development we have been waiting for the longest time.

Yet, we will traverse Sergio’s self-serving version of the surrounding circumstances to cover her own complicity. We will file reply-affidavits to reiterate the whole unembellished facts as they are. Additionally, we shall contest the inexplicable vilification she made against Mary Jane’s family.

We shall continue to closely coordinate and update in real time our Indonesian counterparts in order for them to initiate the appropriate and expedient steps at their end as are warranted by the situation and developments.

All these with the end in view of pursuing in earnest a permanent reprieve for Mary Jane and eventually bringing an innocent victim home to her two little children.

—EDRE U.OLALIA, Philippine private lawyer of Mary Jane Veloso and family, secretary general, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers