(CNN Philippines) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Monday (May 4) it is trying to find links between one of Mary Jane Veloso’s alleged recruiters and the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS).
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said a certain “Ike,” an African who is one of Maria Kristina Sergio’s cohorts, could be the link to the syndicate and could help prove that Mary Jane is just a victim.
The government’s strategy is for Indonesia to go after the big fish, she added.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is already working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regarding this matter.
The preliminary investigation, however, is facing setbacks as the NBI is having a hard time convincing witnesses to testify.
Relatives of potential witnesses prohibit them from testifying, De Lima said. But this does not surprise the justice secretary as a drug syndicate is involved.
Treaty
A formal request to Indonesia to execute a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) was also drafted and is set to be sent soon through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The MLAT, De Lima explained, will allow three options to make Mary Jane available during the court trial: through deposition, video conference, or by flying her to the Philippines.
But the justice secretary added that Mary Jane’s personal appearance won’t be pursued if Indonesian laws prohibit it.
The preliminary hearings on the case against the alleged recruiters are set on May 8 and 14.
Former drug mule tags Veloso
In an exclusive interview, a former drug mule and recruiter connected with the leaders of the WADS alleged Sergio’s involvement in the trade.
Related: Web of illegal drug trade
According to Glenda (not her real name), she met Sergio in Malaysia and knows her by the name Cristine.
“Si Cristine, na-meet ko na siya sa Malaysia. Madalas nga pag ano siya pa nag-aabot sa amin ng mga allowance namin, ng bag bago kami magbibiyahe.“
[Translation: I met Cristine in Malaysia. She is often the one who hands us our allowance and bag before we travel.]
She said that she believes Mary Jane’s claim that she didn’t know about possessing the banned drugs as most recruits usually have no idea what they’re getting into when they leave for another country.
Like Sergio, Glenda said that most recruiters pose as businessmen.
“Una sabi ko nag-travel consultant, nagpapabiyahe lang ako ng mga paninda. Bibilhin sa Malaysia o kaya dadalhin sa China, kukunin sa China dadalhin sa Malaysia.”
[Translation: At first, I said I was a travel consultant, that I am just shipping off goods that I bought from Malaysia and want brought to China or vice versa.]
“Tingin ko malabong matapos itong ano. Hanggang may poverty dito sa Pilipinas at saka hanggang sa dami ng nangangailangan, kahit ano gagawin nila.”
[Translation: I think that as long as there is poverty in the Philippines, the issue of drug mules will not end.]
Related: $2-B industry: Drug smugglers prey on migrants
According to PDEA, at least 820 Filipinos are charged with drug-related cases — most of them as couriers.
Out of these, 24 are facing death penalty charges: 22 in China, one in Vietnam, and the other one, in Indonesia, is Mary Jane.
CNN Philippines’ Triciah Terada and AC Nicholls contributed to this report.
