VELOSO
COMING HOME
“MARY Jane Veloso is coming home before Christmas.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the announcement on Tuesday.
“After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines,” Marcos said.
President Marcos expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill.
He said this reflects the strengthened partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia.
The President also noted the two nations’ shared commitment to justice and compassion.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill. This outcome is a reflection of the depth [of] our nation’s partnership with Indonesia—united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion,” President Marcos said.
“Thank you, Indonesia. We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane home,” he added.
“Mary Jane’s story resonates with many: a mother trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life. While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances,” Marcos said.
MARY JANE’S FATHER GRATEFUL TO PBBM
The father of Mary Jane Veloso expressed his gratitude to President Marcos Jr. yesterday for his efforts to bring her back home.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako. Talagang maraming marami salamat po sa ating mahal na Pangulo at natugunan na rin po ang aming kahilingan na pauwiin na rin po si Mary Jane dito sa Pilipinas,” Cesar Veloso said in a radio interview.
He also thanked the government and others who helped the detained OFW in Indonesia.
President Marcos said early Wednesday he is looking forward to welcoming home Veloso, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2010.
She will be sent home to continue serving her sentence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs formally requested clemency for Veloso on September 6, 2022.
She was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after she was found carrying a suitcase containing over 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death in the same year. With PCO
