By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Mary Jane Veloso, who spent 14 years in Indonesia for drug trafficking, will return to the Philippines on Wednesday (18 Dec 2024) morning, her lawyer, Atty. Edre Olalia, confirmed.
In a radio interview, Olalia stated that Veloso is expected to arrive in the country at around 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday.
However, he mentioned that Mary Jane’s family has yet to be informed whether they will be allowed to meet her upon her arrival at the airport. Despite this, Olalia said that 15 of Veloso’s family members will be present at the airport when she arrives.
On Monday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that Veloso would be returning to the Philippines.
“With much appreciation and gratitude to the Republic of Indonesia, we confirm the imminent return of our kababayan, Mary Jane Veloso,” he said.
“Her homecoming is the result of more than a decade of persistent discussions, consultations, and diplomacy,” Bersamin added.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators have praised Malacañang’s efforts to facilitate the return of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina facing execution in Indonesia, saying the actions reflect the administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Filipinos abroad.
“This initiative demonstrates the administration’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of every Filipino, especially those who find themselves in difficult situations overseas,” Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said on Wednesday (Nov. 20, 2024).
“Mary Jane is a victim of circumstance, deceived by unscrupulous individuals who exploited her vulnerability and unknowingly used her as a courier in their illegal activities,” he added.
Estrada further emphasized that her case underscores the urgent need to protect overseas workers from similar predicaments and strengthen measures against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of protecting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
“It is the responsibility of concerned government agencies to ensure the safety and rights of our migrant workers,” she said. “We must make sure no Filipino migrant worker falls victim to another death sentence.”
In addition, Estrada urged the Department of Justice to recognize Veloso’s status as a victim of human trafficking and involvement with drug syndicates.
“They should explore options for clemency or commutation of her sentence, treating her as a victim rather than a criminal,” he said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently announced that Veloso will be returning home to the Philippines.
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