The planned visit of Mary Jane Veloso’s family to Indonesia on Sunday was canceled as Veloso is being transferred to another facility in preparation for her repatriation to the Philippines.
In a statement, Veloso’s family expressed their disappointment, saying they were eager to see her after a year since their last visit. Despite the canceled trip, they shared their joy over her impending return to the country.
“We are very excited for her homecoming and will welcome her with open arms,” the family said.
Transfer Details Confirmed
DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega confirmed that Veloso is being moved from Yogjakarta to Jakarta to facilitate her repatriation.
“There will be no jail visit as she is being transferred. She will soon come home, and her family will greet her here,” De Vega said, adding that the exact repatriation date is yet to be finalized.
However, a report by Agence France-Presse suggests that Veloso could arrive in the Philippines by December 20.
A Long Journey Toward Justice
Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in her luggage. She was sentenced to death, a case that sparked outrage in the Philippines.
Both Veloso and her supporters have maintained her innocence, asserting she was a victim of human trafficking and duped by an international drug syndicate. In 2015, she was granted a last-minute reprieve after her alleged recruiter was arrested in the Philippines, giving her a chance to pursue her case.
Veloso’s impending return marks a significant moment in her decade-long fight for freedom.