CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – “I did not surrender because I am guilty of all the accusations [being hurled] against me,” said Maria Kristina Sergio, the alleged recruiter of reprieved drug convict Mary Jane Veloso.
“I am concerned about my safety. I am receiving death threats from people whom I do not know. That’s the very reason why I [sought] security from the police,” Sergio clarified.
In an interview, Sergio said she’s innocent and is willing to be investigated.
Veloso said it was Sergio who deceived her into carrying the said luggage that allegedly contained the illegal drugs that was caught with her upon her arrival at Yogyakarta Airport in Indonesia in 2010.
Sergio said she knew that Mary Jane was arrested in Indonesia but denied being a member of an international drug syndicate tricked Filipinos to transport drugs to different countries.
The statement of Sergio contradicted that of Marites Veloso-Laurente, Mary Jane’s sister, who said the recruiter allegedly told their parents in 2010 not to accommodate any interview requests from the media or anyone because the people behind her can pay millions of pesos to save her sister.
“We trusted her until my sister was found guilty and eventually convicted. She’s [Sergio] is a liar for saying she’s innocent. She put the life of my sister at risk,” said Laurente.
Laurente also claimed that Sergio even threatened to harm the Veloso family.
Chris Valdez of Migrantes said that four of the other victims of Sergio from this province are cooperating and willing to testify against Sergio.
Manila Bulletin
