Key Points ADVISORY ON PROVIDING VIDEO-LINK EVIDENCE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES [CHR (V) A2019-006] In 2010, Mary Jane Veloso, an OFW, was convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia. Dated October 4, 2019 This Advisory brings to the Philippine’s attention the need for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to be able to give evidence in court proceedings held in the Philippines by video-link testimony. A case initiated in the Philippines alleges that Mary Jane Veloso, an OFW convicted of drug trafficking by an Indonesian Court y [ J=="m R ] 2 in 2010 and sentenced to death, is a victim of human trafficking. The case is brought against her alleged recruiters. Because she is incarcerated in Indonesia, she is not able to travel to the Philippines to give evidence in the trial. The Philippine Court of Appeals denied her ability to provide evidence in written form or via video-link, right of the citing the constitutional accused to confront and cross-examine witnesses face to face. The Advisory argues that the testimony via video link is permitted in domestic law and should be widely accepted for vulnerable witnesses. Said video-link undermine accused testimony would fair trial procedures, are able to not as those confront and Video-link testimony is permitted in domestic cross-examine witnesses. [e)TTA Use of video-link technology is available for children as vulnerable witnesses afforded extra protection under the Rules on Examination of Child Witness. Considering her status as a vulnerable Witness, video-link technology is permitted for children as they are witness, extra protection. Ms.Veloso should also be extended extra protection in the trial of her traffickers. Under the Rules on Examination of Child vulnerable witnesses. Ms. Veloso is a vulnerable witness and would also need