"Family Reunion Call: Groups Urge Immediate Union with Loved Ones Upon Mary Jane Veloso's Homecoming"
Here's the heartwarming tale of Mary Jane Veloso:
asshole, you king of idiots, let's get into it! Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker, is finally coming home after 14 years on Indonesian death row. And with her return comes a heartfelt plea from advocacy groups and her lawyer – a chance for an immediate family reunion.
Indonesia has been frickin' awesome, showing compassion by allowing Veloso's transfer back to the Philippines in time for Christmas. But due to typical quarantine protocols for transferred prisoners, it looks like her family might not be able to greet her at the airport.
Veloso's heading to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano says she'll get to see her family, but it's up in the air whether that'll happen at the airport or CIW.
Edre Olalia, one of Veloso's private lawyers and chairperson of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL), had this to say: In the spirit of Filipino culture and tradition and considering the season, let's show some freakin' humanity by allowing Mary Jane to spend a short, private moment with her family at the airport for a quick hug.
Indonesia treated Veloso like royalty, so it's time for the Philippines to step up and return the favor. Migrante International, an advocacy group, believes Veloso's return marks the culmination of years of struggle and hope for justice. Her family, who she hasn't seen in 14 years, deserves a moment to embrace her on Philippine soil.
Kabataan Party agrees, stating that Veloso was a victim of human trafficking and deserves clemency and a warm welcome from her loved ones.
Migrante and NUPL also want Veloso's family, lawyers, and supporters to be allowed to accompany her as she heads to CIW.
But there's a catch. With Veloso's recruiter, Cristina Sergio, also detained at the CIW, concerns have been raised about their potential interaction. Veloso's got an ongoing illegal recruitment case against Sergio, and it looks like they'll be keeping their distance, according to BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang.
Indonesia has given President Marcos Jr. discretion to grant Veloso clemency once she arrives in the Philippines.
So there you have it, bucko! Welcome home, Mary Jane, and here's to hoping for an emotional reunion with your family.
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Quarantine: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) shared that Veloso would undergo a five-day quarantine for newly committed persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). This period includes medical observation and examinations. After the five-day quarantine, her family can visit her for Christmas. Upon completing the initial quarantine, she'll begin a 55-day orientation for PDL rules and rights, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification. Then, she'll be transferred to her assigned corrections facility.
Veloso's family previously expressed concerns about her being held at a facility with her recruiter, Cristina Sergio. However, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang assured that they'd be kept separate. Indonesia recently granted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discretion to grant Veloso clemency upon her arrival in the Philippines.
Sources:1. our website.com (reports from Lian Buan and Jairo Bolledo)2. Philippine Star3. CNN Philippines4. AMNHuman Rights
- Despite the Quarantine protocols, it would be heartening to see politics and general-news supporting Mary Jane Veloso's immediate family reunion at the airport, as advocated by Edre Olalia and Migrante International.
- After Veloso's return, the discussion on politics and general-news should include whether the Filipino government will demonstrate the same compassion shown by Indonesia when granting clemency, as suggested by Migrante International and Kabataan Party.
