AND it’s perfectly working again for the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Convicted overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso will soon return to the country after more than a decade of Philippine diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government.

“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,” President Marcos said on his social media page.

President Marcos expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill.

The Indonesian goodwill reflects the strengthened partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia.

Also credited for the positive development is the two nations’ shared commitment to justice and compassion.

The President was very thankful to the Indonesia and its President.

“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.

During the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Indonesia in May 2023, President Marcos emphasized that the government had consistently appealed to Indonesia for Veloso’s pardon, commutation of sentence, and extradition so she could serve her sentence in the Philippines.

Veloso has been detained in Indonesia since 2010 after being arrested on drug trafficking charges.

“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,” President Marcos said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 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.

While working for the return of Veloso to the Philippines, the President is also aspiring for peace in another part of the world – Ukraine.

“It is our hope that we will see comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

This was the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the observance of the 1,000th day since the war in Ukraine began.

In his official X account (formerly Twitter), President Marcos emphasized Ukraine “is a valued partner” of the Philippines.

Relations between the Philippines and Ukraine “continue to go from strength to strength.”

President Marcos recalled his productive meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in June this year.

“I reiterated the PH’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity,” he added.

President Marcos and Zelensky vowed to further strengthen the 32-year-old diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine span 32 years since it was formally established on April 7, 1992.

Diplomacy and peace. They’re key to a better world.

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AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Fetalino Jr.