Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, may finally return to the Philippines in time for Christmas, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega shared the hopeful news in an interview on Radyo Pilipinas. “Although this hasn’t been finalized, let’s pray that it will all be completed so Mary Jane can come home by Christmas. I am not promising anything, but hopefully, it will not face delays,” De Vega said.
Progress in Negotiations
The breakthrough comes after years of diplomatic efforts. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that an agreement had been reached with Indonesian authorities to bring Veloso home.
“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 in a statement.
De Vega revealed that Indonesia recently expressed willingness to transfer Veloso to Manila following discussions with the Philippine ambassador. The Department of Justice has already submitted a formal request to Indonesia, with final approval now pending.
Conditions of the Transfer
The arrangement reportedly involves Veloso serving her sentence in the Philippines, but details are still being finalized. De Vega hinted at the possibility of eventual clemency for Veloso, citing her long incarceration and victim status.
“Indonesia also seems willing, but we still don’t have a final word. When she’s transferred here, our President may issue clemency after some time,” De Vega explained.
Veloso’s Case
Veloso was arrested in 2010 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, with 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her possession. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death. Veloso has maintained her innocence, claiming she was a victim of human trafficking.
In 2015, then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo granted her a temporary reprieve after new evidence linked her to human trafficking. Cases against her recruiters, Julius Lacanilao and Cristina Sergio, have led to a conviction for illegal recruitment, while the human trafficking case remains unresolved.
A Decade of Advocacy
The Philippine government has long fought for Veloso’s release. In January, Veloso’s family sent letters to both Widodo and Marcos appealing for clemency.
Should Veloso return home, it will mark the end of a long, arduous journey for her and her family, who have continued to advocate for her freedom while navigating complex legal and diplomatic hurdles.