Indonesia has agreed to transfer Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino on death row for drug trafficking, back to the Philippines after years of appeals from Manila. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the decision, expressing gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for granting the request.
“Mary Jane Veloso is coming home,” Marcos stated, acknowledging her 14-year ordeal since her 2010 arrest. Veloso was convicted of smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin into Indonesia, a crime she has consistently denied committing. Her family and supporters argue that she was a victim of human trafficking, tricked into carrying a suitcase containing the drugs under the false promise of a job abroad.
The Indonesian government has stipulated that Veloso must remain in detention in the Philippines to serve her sentence in accordance with the Indonesian court’s ruling. Philippine officials, including the Department of Justice, are finalizing the legal details of her transfer. The move, expected to occur in December, will remove the threat of execution, as the Philippines abolished the death penalty in 2006.
Veloso narrowly escaped execution in 2015 when Indonesian authorities placed her on a list of drug convicts to be executed by firing squad. Despite international protests and legal pleas, eight other individuals, including nationals from Brazil, Ghana, and France, were executed. Veloso’s reprieve came after Philippine authorities highlighted her importance as a key witness in human trafficking cases against her recruiters.
Philippine Justice Department spokesperson Mico Clavano emphasized that Veloso’s testimony will be pivotal in the prosecution of those who exploited her. The human trafficking case, along with ongoing diplomatic efforts, played a significant role in convincing Indonesia to reconsider her situation.
President Marcos described Veloso’s case as a reflection of the close partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia, underscoring shared values of justice and compassion. “While held accountable under Indonesian law, Mary Jane is also a victim of her circumstances,” he remarked.
Veloso’s plight has shed light on the vulnerabilities faced by Filipino workers abroad. Many impoverished Filipinas, driven by economic hardship, take up jobs overseas, often falling prey to exploitation. The Philippine government continues to combat human trafficking and has implemented stricter measures to protect its migrant workers.
Currently, 59 Filipinos are on death row worldwide, primarily for drug and murder convictions. Veloso’s return represents a significant victory for advocates and her family, who have fought tirelessly to bring her home and highlight the need for systemic change to protect vulnerable workers.
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