The ministry's head of the public relations and information technology bureau, Mamur Saputra, affirmed that the transfer is proof of successful diplomacy between the two countries in upholding the principle of law supremacy and respect for sovereignty.
"This convict transfer is the result of an intensive diplomatic process involving various parties from both countries," Saputra conveyed on Wednesday.
He remarked that the Philippine government also underlined the importance of ongoing diplomacy in finding the best solution to deal with similar cases without ignoring the legal framework of the country concerned.
In the future, the two governments are committed to continuing sound relations in various fields of cooperation, which reflects the spirit of strategic partnership between them, he added.
The agreement between the Indonesian and Philippine governments in the transfer of Mary Jane was realized through the signing of a practical arrangement by the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and the Philippines Undersecretary of Justice Raul T. Vasquez in Jakarta on December 6.
The agreement affirmed the commitment of both countries to the values of diplomacy, international cooperation, and respect for the legal sovereignty of each country.
Saputra outlined four important provisions in the practical arrangement.
The first point centers on legal sovereignty, with both parties mutually affirming respect for each other's legal systems. Hence, the agreement does not reduce Indonesia's legal sovereignty, including the Indonesian court's decision that applies to the Mary Jane case.
In the second element of the arrangement, the implementation of Mary Jane's sentence is addressed. Upon transfer to the Philippines, she will continue serving her sentence in alignment with Philippine law and procedures.
The third component is a ban on re-entering Indonesia. After the transfer, Mary Jane will be prohibited from entering Indonesia, based on Indonesian law.
The last provision concerns access to information. The Philippine government is committed to providing its Indonesian counterpart with information regarding implementing Mary Jane's sentence after her transfer.
Saputra stated that the Philippine government praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Minister Mahendra, and other related officials for their cooperation.
Mary Jane Veloso, a death row inmate convicted of smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin, was arrested at Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta in April 2010. Despite being sentenced to death by the Sleman Court in October 2010, she was later found to be a victim of human trafficking.
Mary Jane returned on Wednesday to her country on Cebu Pacific Airlines flight 5J760.
Related news: Philippines ready to transfer inmate on death row: Mahendra
Related news: Mary Jane Veloso's transfer form of protection diplomacy: Komnas HAM
Related news: Indonesia's MP urges caution in prisoner transfers to foreign nations
Translator: Agatha Olivia V, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
