CONVICTED OFW MARY JANE VELOSO COMING HOME TO PH, PBBM THANKS INDONESIA

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, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday.

“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.

He said this reflects the strengthened partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia.

The President also noted the two nations’ shared commitment to justice and compassion.

“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 the Philippine 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.

MARY JANE’S FATHER GRATEFUL TO MARCOS

The father of Veloso expressed his gratitude to President Marcos for his efforts to bring her back home.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako. Talagang maraming marami salamat po sa ating mahal na Pangulo at natugunan na rin po ang aming kahilingan na pauwiin na rin po si Mary Jane dito sa Pilipinas,” Cesar Veloso said in a radio interview.

He also thanked the government and others who helped the detained OFW in Indonesia.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED TO MARY JANE’S REPATRIATION – DFA

The Indonesian government is not asking the Philippines for any favor in exchange for the impending repatriation of convicted overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega clarified on Wednesday.

“There are a lot of speculations as to what the return or what was the condition. The Indonesians have not requested any payback for this,” De Vega said in a Palace briefing.

“May I clarify, this is not in return for anything,” he added.

De Vega made the remarks after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed optimism about welcoming Veloso back to the Philippines.

Veloso was convicted for drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2010. She has been on a death row for 14 years.

“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,” the President said early Wednesday on his official X account (@bongbongmarcos).

 “Of course, from ASEAN, we know about the debt of gratitude and that similarly they may request something from us in the future. But right now, they are not asking anything in return for this arrangement,” De Vega said.

The DFA official emphasized Veloso’s case remains “a work in progress” for Indonesia.

“So, when she gets here, if she gets here, she will not immediately be released. It means, we will commit to detain her until such time that there’s a mutual agreement that she could be given clemency,” De Vega said.

“But at least, she would be here,” he added.

De Vega said Indonesia’s goodwill demonstrates the strong leadership of President Marcos, his close ties with the Indonesian government, and the Philippine government’s commitment to protecting its overseas workers.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano was also grateful for the Indonesian government’s goodwill. He said discussions are underway regarding Veloso’s detention once she arrives in the Philippines.

ESCUDERO ON FORTHCOMING RETURN OF VELOSO

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero thanked President Marcos and the DFA for not giving up in negotiating to save Mary Jane from the death row.

“Makaraan ang mahigit isang dekada na pagkakulong ay uuwi na si Mary Jane Veloso. Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at sa lahat ng opisyal at kawani ng Department of Foreign Affairs na walang patid ang pakikipag-ugnayan at pakikipag-negosasyon sa gobyerno ng Indonesia para mailigtas sa hatol na kamatayan si Mary Jane at maiuwi siya sa Pilipinas,” Escucero said.

“We owe our immense gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and to the entire Indonesian government for its compassion. Mary Jane has spent over a third of her life in prison and every day of those 14 years not knowing if it will be her last. We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane back to the Philippines,” he added.

The Senate President called on the authorities concerned to ensure the safety of Mary Jane upon her return to the Philippines and to reach out to her family and allay whatever fears or concerns they may have about her transfer.