Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The lawyer of alleged illegal recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao claimed on Friday (July 10) that the Department of Justice (DOJ) manipulated facts to prosecute his clients and fortify chances of saving Mary Jane Veloso’s life.
But Justice Secretary Leila De Lima denied these allegations Friday afternoon and said that the findings against Sergio and Lacanilao were based on evidence.
On Thursday (July 9), the DOJ approved the filing of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and estafa charges against Sergio and Lacanilao.
Read: DOJ to file criminal cases against Veloso’s alleged recruiters
Atty. Howard Areza, counsel for Sergio and Lacanilao, said that their camp expected the finding of probable cause against his clients because the DOJ intends to use the two as scapegoats in the fight to save Veloso from execution.
Veloso, a mother of two and convicted drug mule, was arrested in 2010 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her luggage. According to Veloso’s testimonies, she was only duped into using the bag.
Related: Mary Jane Veloso: Job search ends in death row
Veloso’s execution was suspended last April after Indonesia recognized the fact that her alleged recruiter surrendered herself to Philippine authorities.
Also read: Mary Jane Veloso’s recruiter surrenders
De Lima and other Justice officials, meanwhile, met with Veloso’s family on Friday to discuss possible developments in Mary Jane’s pending drug case abroad.
Related: Filipino on death row: This is God’s will
While De Lima stressed that Sergio and Lacanilao’s prosecution was an important step in proving Mary Jane’s innocence, she assured Veloso’s family that the Philippine government was doing everything it can to help Mary Jane.
De Lima also confirmed that the Indonesian government will not suddenly lift the postponement of Mary Jane’s execution as long as legal proceedings were ongoing in the country.
The DOJ, on the other hand, was preparing to inform the Indonesian government about the developments in Sergio and Lacanilao’s cases.
