It’s been a big news here right now about a lady (Mary Jane) from here in the Philippines was on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking a 2.6 kilo grams of heroin. Supposed to be she was just asked by a friend to carry that stuff for her. She must trusted that friend so much to carry that stuff for her. She’s paying the big price now (and her family too) for not asking the friend of what’s inside the package and for not opening the package in-front of the friend.
The family especially her kids begged the president here in the Philippines to help. I think right now the Indonesian government hold off the execution by firing squad because of the appeal of the Philippine government. The Philippine government hopes that the Indonesian government will sentence her to life imprisonment. Her 2 kids even traveled to Indonesia to visit her. I guess she was in jail already from early 2010.
Honestly, I’ve seen reality shows on TV about “Locked Up Abroad”. Really its similar to Mary Jane’s situation. Most of them, they were locked up for life, some were sentence to death. Others were also let go and sent home to the country they’re from. But it’s really seldom that will let go in jail just a few years, most of them were in jail for 10 or more years before they get freed.
I’m just hoping for the best for Mary Jane. If she’s innocent I hope she will get justice she mostly deserved. For the sake of her family especially her kids. But if she’s guilty, well, she should also be locked up I guess like those others. I know it’s hard, but she has to pay the consequences of her actions. I’m sure the person that sent that package probably washed her hands already and let Mary Jane be the fall guy. That would be hard on her, her freedom was taken in just a blink of an eye. I’m not sure if she’s being naive or just being stupid or being force to do it. Do you know of someone having similar situation with Mary Jane. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
I can really see Bob’s point before whenever we went home here for a visit here in the Philippines. If a friend would ask us to bring something for their family here. Bob would always tell me to get my friend’s stuff and we will be the one to pack in our suitcase. That we would not accept any sealed package that we don’t know what’s inside. Luckily my friends shared the same thoughts.
Now that Aaron is getting ready to go to the States soon. We are also telling him not to bring or even touch any package from anyone he will be meeting at the airport. We even told him to not be watching someone’s backpack or luggage at the airport (I guess just use common sense). He told us that he will be traveling light. He just wants a small backpack safely for his documents and a pair of clothes, extra shirt or two, maybe to change during the flight. He already talked to his Granny to prepare for a clothes shopping when he gets there. He told her that he is not bringing lots of stuff. He just doesn’t want to be hanging around too long time at the luggage claim area.
Good luck to everyone that’s traveling. Stay safe!
Two Australians are on death row as well , our government are appealing to Indonesia as well .
Hi Bradley – Good luck to your fellow countrymen. I assumed charged with drug trafficking also? Pretty soon, it might be a requirements before a person travelling abroad to watch that show locked up abroad video. To be in jail in a different country is gruesome.
Thank you for stopping by!
they were taking drugs OUT of Indonesia to Australia, and were caught so they were not bringing drugs into Indonesia. Secondly those two men have greatly reformed, one is a pastor, the other is an artiste and for 10 years they have helped prisoners, cared for inmates, preached against drugs. I don’t think they deserve the death for a crime done 10 years ago to take drugs out of indonesia INTO Australia, most Australians prefer they are given life sentence, and they can continue their good work they are doing in prison. Indonesia is a corrupt nation, perhaps their own politicians should get the death penalty first.
Oh my god. This is so scary and a disaster. It seems like she trusted her friend too much. She looks lost and miserable.
Oh my god. This is so scary and a disaster. It seems like she trusted her friend too much. She looks lost and miserable. Even if the negotiation will be a life imprisonment, it does not really make it better because she will be spending her remaining time on earth in jail.
Hi Yuri – So scary for sure.
*** It seems like she trusted her friend too much. *** ——– Sounds that way for sure. Now she’s paying the price though.
*** Even if the negotiation will be a life imprisonment, it does not really make it better because she will be spending her remaining time on earth in jail. *** ——- True
Nice to see you here. Thanks for the comment!
The Death Penalty is always wrong. Only God has the right to decide who lives and who dies. Having said that have you noticed that it always seems to be that when someone gets caught with drugs in their luggage, that they were put there by someone else?? Or they belong to someone else…..
Hi Tim – Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Have a pleasant day!
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. – Romans 13:4 – God has given the authorities the right to punish criminals with death. So yes, governments who properly implement rules have the right to do so, however in case of Indonesia, they are a downright corrupt country with non-Christian judges, I doubt if any real justice is given when they all ask for bribes there.
Feyma, a very good article and full of good advice to all travelers.
Hi Greg – Thank you so much. I’m glad you like my post.
Have a good one!
Yes, the death penalty is harsh but how do you stop the drug trafficking? Sometimes you have to cut off the whole arm to deter cancer sorry to say. That is why at the airport they ask you if anyone else packs your luggage or did you do it yourself. Even checked luggage can be tapered with. The who affair is tragic.
Hi John – Good point there. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Have a wonderful day!
This is a big disaster! I hope they call it off, or “postpone” it forever.
So sad, there should be much more preparation for new travelers. More enforcement “BEFORE” one leave the country to avoid this type of situation. Many innocent persons are probably getting in trouble not knowing. But the guilty should be caught in there own country. Also so many poor people are desperate and will do stupid things. The eradication of “poverty” must be taken further. Look at that lady…does she deserve death? If she is our sister or mother …obviously something here is wrong!
Hi Daniel – Yep preparations before traveling is a must. Study and read on the net. My goodness, almost every part of the world has good internet connection. Watch TV too and pay attention.
Thank you for the reminder.
Good to see you here!
Sad to say, but Indonesia has a track record for NEVER backing down. Ignorance of the law is simply not an acceptable excuse to avoid the death penalty or any other lesser caning sentences Indonesia dishes out. 2.6 kilograms is almost 6 pounds — a large quantity of dope. This all begs the question: who let her board an airplane with that much dope?
Hi Rich – Wow, that’s going to bad news to Mary Jane then. Big lesson in life for her. It might cost her life. I think every OFW should watch good documentary about being jail from other country.
Always good to see you here!
I highly doubt she “trusted” her friend and carried it for her. More likely she was offered a nice sum of money to carry it and she decided to take to the risk. Sad for her family, but she took a gamble and rolled snake eyes. Now she will pay with her life.
Hi Willie – Could be. She’s paying the price big time though.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
With all of the legal pasalubong stuff I pack in my 100 Pounds worth of luggage If anyone did ask me, I wouldn’t have room for anyone else’s stuff anyway LOL. Carry on , forget about it.
Anyone doing any travel, especially international should have known or been informed to check the airlines restricted or prohibited list of items. You would be quite surprised what you Can carry in your checked luggage but not in carry on.
Each time I do any international travel I always review the US TSA list and the individual airline list for changes and updates.
You would think any one with common sense would know the transport of drugs would cause them severe consequences. Obviously the ones getting caught are more than likely intentionally doing it for profit of some kind.
Hi Bob – Good info and advice there. Thank you.
With the internet now, people should get good info online. I know for sure in Davao, if anyone caught using, carrying or dealing with drugs. Best advice for that person, he/she better hide. Our mayor here has a reputation of being tough on those drug users and dealers.
Always good seeing you here Bob. Have a great day!
Maybe AJ will be traveling light on his way to the USA but I bet it will be just the opposite on his way home to Davao at the end of his stay. I am looking forward to reading his articles about his adventures. You can get some decent deals on big luggage at Walmart and similar big box stores AJ, LOL . Of course you could always ocean freight your treasures home in a container. Just ask your dad for details on that.
Hi Bob – Yep, he is traveling light on the way to the USA. Just a backpack with his documents and a couple of shirts and some other personal stuff inside. He already told his GrandMa that they will be going shopping as soon as he gets there. Yep, on the way back to the PI, he will be carrying one backpack again the rest he will be sending through balikbayan boxes. Ha ha ha,,, no container freight yet for him. LOL
Thanks for the advice Bob. Highly appreciated!
Hi Feyma
Good advice and it is similar to the rules that I always follow.
I have little sympathy for people who take stuff into a foreign country without knowing what it is. It doesn’t take long to check. If someone asks me to take a package back to the UK I always tell them not to seal it before giving it to me. If they refuse or say it’s already sealed then I refuse to accept it.
As for the death penalty, the rules and consequences are usually on the landing cards for most countries.
Cheers
AJ UK
Hi AJ – Thank you so much.
Spot on. Don’t take or accept any sealed package that they want you to carry for them. Same with us, ain’t taking any of that too.
*** As for the death penalty, the rules and consequences are usually on the landing cards for most countries. *** ——– Yep
Good to see you again here!
This is not so simple to decide who is guilty.
A very honest hard working (retired) person I knew was travelling in his motor home, coming to Canada from USA, stopped at a gas station just before crossing the border and someone planted a pack of drugs under his vehicle.
He was caught and charged for drug trafficking at age 77.
He was in perfect health but he died a few months later from stress.
I know he was innocent. He certainly didn’t need money, he was wealthy.
Go figure!
Hi PalawanBob – Wow, how sad for that man to be accused. Nowadays, trust no one when traveling. Too many crooks lurking around.
Thank you for sharing!
True
Thanks Maria!
She might be a victim, she may have been used as a “Mule” but certainly not a drug traficant or drug user. If one take the time to look at her photo it;s clear that she is not a drug user.
She might be a victim, she may have been used as a “Mule” but certainly not a drug traficant or drug user. If one take the time to look at her photo it;s clear that she is not a drug user.
Hi Daniel – Really I’m hoping for the best for the lady. It’s really sad what happened to her. I’m sure so many people end up like her. I hope others learn something from her story.
Thank you for your thoughts!
Have they performed a drug test to see if she is a user? Drug traficant are drug addicted for the most part.
Have they performed a drug test to see if she is a user? Drug traficant are drug addicted for the most part.
Hi Daniel – So far I never heard that she had a drug test. She probably had one, maybe they just didn’t mentioned in the news.
Thank you!
Always pack your own bags & never carry anything for anyone. Daniel Bernard, the woman in question was caught trafficking narcotics into Indonesia, and is therefore a trafficker. Whether she is a drug user or not is irrelevant.
Hi Mark – *** Always pack your own bags & never carry anything for anyone. *** ——- For sure, I agree.
Got your point. Mary Jane together with the Philippine government tried appealing to the Indonesian government for leniency. Hoping they will consider lifetime imprisonment instead of the firing squad. Not sure if Indonesia grant the request of the Philippine government though.
Thank you for the comment!
My understanding of the situation is she was carrying a package for a friend through the border in Indonesia. I did not read anywhere that she was caught selling/trafficking the package or what it contains to someone. Drug Trafficking definition: ” the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal drugs”. What if she is innocent? That is my point. Cause here in Canada many innocent people have been jailed, and later found out innocent of crimes that they were jailed for. In Canada one of the last man that was hanged was innocent. His name was Wilbert Coffin.
Hi Daniel – That’s what the news said accused of drug trafficking.
I’m just hoping that the Philippine government can do something if she’s really innocent. For her kids sake.
Thank you!
Never ever bring anything you don’t know about. Remember the movie”Lucy”.
When things turn out what you can’t imagine. Nothing left but regret.
Hi Feyma,
The first couple of times I flew into the Philippines I was given a card that said in red, “DEATH TO DRUG DEALERS”. By the time you see the card I guess it is too late to do much. I know the Philippines has done away with the death penalty at least officially.
I find it completely possible Mary Jane could be innocent, because I know some Filipinas are very trusting of their friends. I used to support the death penalty, but there have been a lot of cases recently where people have been convicted and been waiting to be executed, and then been cleared by irrefutable DNA evidence. There were a couple of brothers here in NC who spent 30 years in prison only to be finally exonerated.
Good advice about being careful about what is in your luggage!
I wax back and forth on the death penalty, it is not a deterrent (save for the one it is administered to) but in my opinion, vengeance. There are crimes witch societies may demand a life. Some war crimes, mass or wanton murder. Drugs, even if they cause harm don’t pass the test for me.
Has the lady named her friend? Has the friend been investigated? The women may or may not have known she carried drugs weather she used or did it for money or was dubbed makes little difference the penalty seems a bit harsh.
Sad
Its not the question of IF she is innocent, even INNOCENT people get shot in Indonesia, their system is absolutely corrupt and if she has no money to bribe them don’t expect “justice for innocent” people in Indonesia, perhaps western nations.
Hi Feyma
Good article.
You have to be very careful when travlling places you don’t know.
remember a few years ago the 3 Filipino’s who got executed the same day in china?
2 girls / 1 guy.
even after that incident the citizens of the Philippines are still smuggling drugs.
no lesson was ever learned.
sure if you are poor you might be desperate to do anything for money but to risk your life? sounds like these people don’t have any brains to even consider this line of work.
I’d rather be poor with no money in the Philippines then potentially becoming executed.
at least I would still be alive.