Filipina nearly executed in Indonesia arrives home in Philippines
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Mary Jane Veloso (centre) waves after arriving at the Correctional Institution for Women in Manila on Dec 18.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
MANILA - Mary Jane Veloso, who received a last-minute reprieve from execution by firing squad for drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2015, arrived in Manila in the early hours of Dec 18 after years of negotiations between the two South-east Asian countries.
Veloso, a 39-year-old former domestic helper and mother of two, told reporters in Jakarta she was ready to start a new life in the Philippines.
She was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after being found with 2.6kg of heroin concealed in a suitcase. She said she was an unwitting drug mule, but she was convicted and sentenced to death.
Her release came days after the five remaining members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring
Veloso was flanked by heavy security upon her arrival at Manila’s airport and was transported straight to a prison facility for women.
Her family and dozens of supporters who were waiting outside the terminal could not greet Veloso on her arrival.
“They made my daughter a criminal even if she is innocent,” her father Cesar Veloso told reporters at the airport as he broke down in tears.
“They did not allow us to see her. We wanted to hug her.”
Her mother Celia Veloso was more upbeat, saying: “What’s important is she’s here already”.
Mr Edre Olalia, Veloso’s lawyer in the Philippines, said that the authorities had given her family private time with her at the prison facility.
The two governments agreed in December
Any decision on granting her clemency will depend on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Dec 17 that it is “premature to speculate” what Mr Marcos will do.
Indonesia said it would respect any decision made by the Philippines, including if Veloso was given clemency.
Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo thanked the Indonesian government for its “sincere and decisive action” to allow Veloso to return home in time for the Christmas holidays.
“Their generosity has made possible this momentous day of Ms Veloso’s return to the Philippines,” Mr Manalo said in a statement. REUTERS
