OFW Veloso’s return ‘triumph of justice’
EXPRESSING his gratitude to the Indonesian government and to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for not giving up, Senator Raffy Tulfo said the return of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina who spent 14 years on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, is victory for justice and for the Filipino people.
Veloso has finally returned to the Philippines ahead of Christmas, marking an emotional end to her long ordeal.
Senator Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, praised the Philippine government’s efforts to secure Veloso’s release and highlighted the significance of this milestone for the country’s advocacy for migrant workers’ rights.
“Matapos ang 14 taon na pagdurusa sa death row sa Indonesia, matagumpay na naisalba ng ating gobyerno ang kanyang buhay at mas mapapalapit na siya sa kanyang pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay,” Tulfo said in a statement.
Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in April 2010 for drug trafficking, claiming she was a victim of human and drug trafficking. Despite being sentenced to death, the Philippine government consistently worked to delay her execution and negotiate her return. Tulfo credited the successful repatriation to the efforts of President Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), alongside cooperation from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
“I also express my heartfelt gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for agreeing to repatriate Mary Jane,” Tulfo added.
The senator also called for greater vigilance in safeguarding the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, emphasizing that Veloso’s case underscores the need for strengthened monitoring and protection measures for Filipinos abroad.
“Ang pangyayaring ito ay paalala rin na dapat nating ipagpatuloy at mas paigtingin pa ang pagmomonitor at pagtutok sa kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa para masiguro na wala ni isa sa kanila ang malalagay sa panganib,” he said.
Veloso’s return is widely seen as a triumph of diplomacy and a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many migrant workers. As the country celebrates her homecoming, Tulfo expressed his hope for the continued safety and well-being of all Filipinos overseas.
