By Brian Campued
Death row convict Mary Jane Veloso has finally returned to the Philippines Wednesday morning after 14 years in prison in Indonesia for alleged drug trafficking.
According to a Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) news release, Veloso arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) – Terminal 3 around 5:51 a.m. via a Cebu Pacific commercial flight accompanied by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and BuCor.
Upon arrival at the airport, Veloso was immediately transported to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City where she is mandatorily housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center for a five-day quarantine as well as a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification.
Veloso also reunited with her family upon arrival at the Mandaluyong jail facility, wherein she reiterated her appeal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to grant her an executive clemency.
The 39-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was jailed and sentenced to death in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin was found in her suitcase.
She was given a temporary reprieve in April 2015 when the Philippine government informed the Indonesian government that her recruiters had surrendered.
In November, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confirmed that Manila and Jakarta reached an agreement to transfer Veloso to the Philippines.
Strong bilateral ties
In a statement, the President extended his gratitude to the Indonesian government for agreeing on the turnover of Veloso’s custody to the Philippines.
“The Philippine government welcomes the imminent transfer of Ms. Veloso which was made possible by our strong friendship and cooperation with the Indonesian government,” he said.
“We assure the Filipino people that Ms. Veloso’s safety and welfare is paramount and our agencies in the justice and law enforcement sector shall continue to ensure it, as our Indonesian counterparts have safeguarded it for so long,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, for his part, lauded the Department of Justice (DOJ) as well as then Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Glenda Jamoralin for working tirelessly for Veloso’s repatriation.
“This is a significant achievement for the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, a mark of the trust and friendship between our two nations,” the DFA chief stated.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, likewise, thanked the Indonesian government for showing compassion to Veloso as he welcomed the OFW’s return in time to be with her family before Christmas.
“Let me take this opportunity to extend the Philippine government’s warmest appreciation for this act of compassion displayed by our international partner, the Indonesian government. Your act of mercy speaks volumes,” Remulla said.
Senate President Francis Escudero, for his part, highlighted the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of OFWs, especially those who are in difficult situations.
“I hope that Mary Jane’s repatriation is only the first of many Filipinos similarly situated in various parts of the world,” Escudero said.
“We must make them feel “the long arm of government” to protect and shield them whenever they need help,” he added.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized that Veloso’s return must remind the country and its government about the risks and sacrifices OFWs face in a foreign land—echoing the Chief Executive’s policy to strengthen Manila’s diplomatic ties with other nations to ensure Filipinos’ rights and safety and uphold their dignity abroad.
“Sa ating mga OFW saan mang sulok ng mundo, ipinapaalala ng araw na ito ang ating patuloy na pagsisikap na kayo’y protektahan at suportahan. Ang inyong mga sakripisyo ay kinikilala at pinahahalagahan ng buong bayan,” Romualdez said. (with reports from Louisa Erispe, Gab Humilde Villegas, Denisse Osorio, Bernard Ferrer, Daniel Manalastas, Mela Lesmoras, and Kenneth Paciente/PTV News)
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