Is she really innocent?

I did not know personally, nor had I even heard of him until he was reported as a fatality in that helicopter crash in Pakistan, but I was saddened by the death of our ambassador to that country, Domingo Lucenario Jr. Erom what was revealed of him in the report on the crash, Lucenario was one of our most distinguished career officials in the foreign service, and he had been performing creditably for more than 25 years. He was a very big loss, indeed.

***

The report also said that several other ambassadors were with Lucenario on that flight, and also killed was the ambassador of Norway, and the wives of the ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia, and three crew members. Also on the flight, but who survived with injuries were the ambassadors of Indonesia, Poland, and the Netherlands. The group of envoys were on their way to the inauguration of a new ski lift resort when the crash happened. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawar Sharif was with the party of about 37 envoys, but he was on another helicopter. But it was a good gesture on his part to give instructions that a cabinet member of the country accompany the bodies of the victim back to their countries.

***

What a drama her coaches have taught the mother of all ingrates, Celia Veloso, to perform for the media on Mothers' Day! There she was expounding on the mother love that had filled her mouth with bile as she cursed the country's president after he had broken protocol to appeal for, and succeed in getting her daughter a reprieve. Because, of course, there is no doubt that, without his intercession, the Veloso family would be holding their wake for Mary Jane now, or may even have buried her already.

***

But now it looks as if, the more she talks, the more sympathizers of her daughter are decreasing. Also, more and more are beginning to doubt if her daughter was really as innocent as they are claiming. A recent report disclosed that Mary Jane and her alleged recruiter already knew each other well, and that this was not the first time the girl had gone abroad, although it does not seem that she had ever been an Overseas Filipino Worker. So what was her mission in those earlier trips?

***

I also remember reading a news report saying that, during the trial in Indonesia the questioned suitcase was exhibited and it was seen that there were stitches inside it, clearly showing that something was hidden within. But, the report also said, she must have seen those, and yet just placed her own clothes and personal effects over them. That was probably why the court did not accept her claims of being unaware of what she was bringing.

***

Now, Mrs. Celia Veloso should be told this: Unless they can prove, without any doubt, that it was the recruiter that had sewn the 2.6 kilos of heroin inside that bag, sorry nalang for her Mary Jane, the Indonesian firing squad may make a date with her again. Me, I also seriously doubt that Mommy Veloso had no idea whatsoever why her daughter was traveling to places where she had no contracted jobs waiting, like all other OFWs.

***

Meanwhile, the good news is that our OFWs have again made the country richer with remittances of some $1.89 billion in March this year, which is much higher than what was recorded in February. Now those are the Filipinos who are not only bringing aid and helping our country to progress, but many of them also gaining admiration and honor abroad for being honest and reliable workers. They are a sharp contrast to those who take the easy, but criminal route of acting as drug mules, and then yell against their country when caught and sentenced as they deserve.

***

Filipinos traveling abroad should be warned over and over, from the time they apply for visas, to when they check in at the airport, and even when the crew recite the usual instructions for passengers, that they should never accept requests for them to bring items, especially cash to people in the countries they are visiting. A few years ago, a public school teacher was detained by the immigration office of the country she was visiting because of a letter from her co-teacher that included some comments that were considered illegal.

***

The poor woman never got to the mainland for her vacation because she was sent back to the Philippines after a few days in detention. Another one, supposedly a tourist, was also stopped because she was found with her diploma, transcript of records and even some recommendation letters for a teaching job. I doubt if the two were ever able to secure visas again after that. So, it is best to be warned. It is not only being couriers for drugs that can get you into trouble, you know.*

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