Widodo clarifies: Duterte misquoted on Veloso execution

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) —  Indonesian President Joko Widodo in an interview with Singapore's government-owned channel clarified President Rodrigo Duterte's statement on Mary Jane Veloso's execution.

In a news release, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) cited Channel News Asia's (CNA) article, which quoted Widodo as saying: "President Durterte said please, go ahead with the process in line with the law in Indonesia," as he spoke to reporters in North Jakarta after opening a new terminal at Tanjung Priok port on Tuesday.

News reports in Indonesia previously said Widodo confirmed that Duterte gave a "green light" for the execution of Mary Jane Veloso, who has been convicted of drug trafficking

In October 2010, the District Court of Justice of Sleman in Yogjakarta sentenced Veloso to death for bringing 2.6 kilograms of heroin in Indonesia.

Her execution by firing squad was delayed at the last minute on April 29, after Veloso's recruiter Tintin Sergio surrendered to Nueva Ecija Provincial Police.

Indonesia agreed to stay Veloso's execution, following a request by the Philippine government to let Veloso testify against a case against her recruiter who has been linked to the illegal drug trade.

In the same interview, Widodo was also quoted saying Indonesia will respect legal processes in the Philippines.  He also praised Duterte's war against drugs.

"I see that President Duterte's consistency in eradicating drugs is really high. There is no tolerance. Thus, he said that he will respect the laws in Indonesia," Widodo said in the interview.

In a speech, Duterte said Indonesia and the Philippines have an identical problem on drugs.

"On our case we have 3 million [drug addicts], that number is not a joke. I talked to Widodo, he has 4 million," the President said in a speech at Villamor Airbase, Tuesday afternoon.

"I told him, Mr. President. It's good you have the death penalty here. At least you can bring it down to the barest minimum. I said, go ahead and implement the law," Duterte narrated.

Duterte said Widodo agreed that Indonesia and the Philippines should work together in aggressively pursuing drug peddlers, syndicates, even terrorists and pirates.

Both leaders also agreed, according to Duterte, that if there's confrontation during a chase, law enforcement agencies can use force.

source:cnnphilippines