20-11-2024 (MANILA) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed profound gratitude to Indonesia on Wednesday for approving the repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino death row inmate, to serve her sentence in her home country.
Veloso, whose case has drawn international attention since her arrest in 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin, narrowly escaped execution in 2015 following the last-minute arrest of her alleged recruiter. The recruiter is accused of concealing the narcotics in Veloso’s luggage without her knowledge.
President Marcos highlighted the development as a testament to the robust bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, praising their shared commitment to justice and compassion. The breakthrough follows sustained diplomatic efforts, including discussions during Marcos’s first state visit to Indonesia in 2022, where he raised Veloso’s case with then-President Joko Widodo.
“After more than a decade of diplomatic negotiations, we successfully delayed her execution and reached an agreement for her return,” Marcos stated, describing Veloso’s circumstances as those of “a mother trapped by poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life.”
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation would escort Veloso to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong upon her arrival. While acknowledging the requirement to serve her sentence, Remulla emphasised the Philippines’ opposition to capital punishment.
The case has prompted calls for clemency from various sectors. The National Union of People’s Lawyers has urged President Marcos to grant clemency on humanitarian grounds, while Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas advocated for a reduced sentence, emphasising Veloso’s status as a human trafficking victim.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega indicated hopes for Veloso’s return “in time for Christmas.” The Philippine government has pledged comprehensive support for Veloso and her family, including legal assistance to pursue cases against her alleged traffickers.
