Translation Problems: Mary Jane Veloso's Case

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Upon hearing the news that Duterte provided his go signal on Veloso's case, my initial comment was "For Real? is it real? (to the Kendra Tune). Well, if you are just open to only one perspective you'll probably see yourself being pissed to this man for the nth time. On the other hand, if you will just exercise your critical thinking, let's say provided that this information is true then you will realize that there might be a reason behind it.

Could it be what we can call "Reverse Psychology"? That Duterte is strongly lifting up the judicial system of Indonesia in order for Widodo to somehow lend his ears to our President's plea. We all know that we can't provoke Indonesia by just pleading for someone to just be exempted for a crime that someone supposedly commits. Remember, even though we know that there's this possibility that the case of Veloso is just a frame up, in the eyes of the Indonesian Government and people she has been caught with illegal drugs upon entering the country. It's the truth that they know unless proven otherwise that she was indeed a victim herself.

Let's say for example, we have a death penalty here and our authorities caught a Chinese Woman with illegal substance in her, would you still appreciate it if China intervenes and just ask our Government not to execute that woman if she has been proven guilty by our own court? If China condemns our judicial system and death penalty..do you think we will be happy with that?

Going back, povided that this information is true that Duterte has given his go signal...do you think Widodo is that stupid to just base his decision to that of Duterte? Of course he will think logically about it. Just like what had happened, when he let the proceedings of Veloso's alleged human traffickers be cleared first before the execution takes place. There's also this decision to indefinitely exclude Veloso from the death row. With all of these somehow "favors", what we can do to save Veloso? Strengthen her case against the alleged human trafficker and prove her innocence once and for all.

You see, there are so many things that you have to analyse and consider before jumping to a conclusion. I think, Filipinos are still premature when it comes to tactics and strategies. That's the saddest part of it all. Let's think and go beyond what our eyes and ears can hear.

To set the record straight, please see below Sec. Manny Pinol's Facebook post as he was part of our official delegation to Indonesia.

'I was there!'

RODY NEVER SAID 'YES'

TO VELOSO EXECUTION

By Manny Piñol

Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture

Is this another case of "lost in translation?"

Earlier today, Tempo editor Rey Bancod called to ask me to validate a news report coming from Jakarta, Indonesia quoting President Joko Widodo as saying that President Rody Duterte gave his "Go" signal for the execution of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso.

This was followed by another interview by DZMM anchor Anthony "Ka Tunying" Taberna who also asked me the same question.

Well, here is my answer: No, I never heard President Duterte say that he was giving the Indonesian Government the "Go" signal to execute Veloso.

Why am I so sure?

Well, I was present during the bilateral talks between the Indonesian Government and the Philippine Government at the Istana Merdeka President Palace.

I was also present during the delivery of official statements by the two Presidents after the bilateral talks and I also joined the party during the State Dinner tendered by President Widodo for President Duterte and his Party.

During the bilateral talks, I was seated a chair away from President Duterte with Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. seated between us.

Across the table, Indonesian President Widodo was facing President Duterte and I was about two meters away from him.

Maybe it was out of habit that as a former newsman, I took notes of the exchange of statements between the two Presidents during the bilateral talks.

It was President Widodo who made the opening statement and President Duterte responded by reading a prepared statement.

I could not quote President Duterte verbatim but I am sure that the transcript of his statement would prove that what he said during the official statement was the following:

"We respect your laws. We will not interfere with your judicial processes but we are asking for clemency."

That statement referred not only to the case of Veloso but also for the 105 Filipino fishermen who are now detained in different jails all over Indonesia for alleged illegal fishing activities.

So is this another case of "lost in translation?"

Only the Indonesian side could explain that.

As far as I am concerned and as a former journalist myself, I can state with certainty that during the official bilateral talks between the two leaders, President Duterte never said he was giving a "Go" signal for the execution of Veloso.

In fact, he did not even mention her name and only referred to her as a Filipino whose fate under Indonesian laws he would respect."

Source Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1106961956052939&substory_index=0&id=351448724937603