By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured the safety of Filipino drug convict Mary Jane Veloso as she continues to serve her sentence in the Philippines.
Veloso’s transfer to Philippine custody spared her from execution, as the country does not have the death penalty. She had been behind bars in Indonesia for nearly 15 years, convicted of drug trafficking.
“We assure the Filipino people that Ms. Veloso’s safety and welfare are our top priority, and our agencies in the justice and law enforcement sectors will continue to ensure her well-being, just as our Indonesian counterparts have done for so long,” Marcos said.
The President also expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for their assistance in Veloso’s transfer.
“We take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Indonesian government and everyone who has supported Ms. Veloso’s welfare,” he added.
“We are pleased to announce that she was turned over to Philippine officials on the evening of December 17,” Marcos said.
Veloso arrived back in the country on Wednesday morning, with her flight landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 5:40 a.m.
“The flight, which departed from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 12:05 a.m., marked the end of a difficult chapter in Veloso’s life,” said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
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