Philippine resident Mary Jane Veloso returns home following a 14-year absence
In the bustling city of Manila, Philippines, the long-awaited homecoming of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino citizen wrongfully imprisoned in Indonesia, finally happened on a cool Wednesday morning, December 18, 2024. After a grueling 14 years spent abroad, Veloso boarded a commercial plane, leaving behind a foreign land where she only wished to support her family.
On reaching the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Veloso was accompanied by Philippine corrections officials, including Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. She was neither handcuffed nor subjected to any form of restraint during her flight. Catapang stated, "'Wala naman siyang balak tumakas or saktan ang sarili niya dahil gusto na nga niyang makauwi ng Pilipinas, so bakit pa natin kakailanganin ang posas? Imbis na posas dapat rosas ang ibigay natin sa kanya.'"
As Veloso stepped onto Philippine soil, her life was officially saved, thanks to the country's absence of the death penalty. However, her freedom was not immediately within reach. For the next two months, she would be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
Despite being barred from greeting Veloso at the airport gate by the Department of Justice, her family, along with other relatives, private lawyers, and supporters, showed up at the terminal's arrivals area, hoping to catch a glimpse of her as she landed. Airport police and security were present in force, especially in the VIP section, where the media was informed she would exit. Veloso's lawyer, Edre Olalia, questioned the tight security surrounding her family.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, Veloso was immediately escorted to a vehicle bound for the CIW, still carrying flowers and a "welcome home" banner. Neither Veloso's family nor supporters managed to get a glimpse of her as they stood holding on to their hopes. Mary Jane's mother, Celia Veloso, expressed her feelings, "'Ang sama ng loob ko kasi para bang kriminal ang anak ko.'"
Veloso is expected to undergo a five-day quarantine as part of standard procedure for newly committed persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). During this period, she will be medically assessed, and after five days, her family will be able to visit her on Christmas Eve, December 24.
The Philippine Foreign Secretary, Enrique Manalo, thanked the Indonesian government for its "generosity" in turning over custody of Veloso. He stated, "This is a significant achievement for the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, a mark of the trust and friendship between our two nations. We would, therefore, like to take this moment to reiterate our sincerest thanks to the Indonesian government for this humanitarian action."
After years of Veloso's case stalling, she finally received a breakthrough when Indonesia, under new leadership with President Prabowo Subianto, agreed to transfer her to the Philippines. Indonesia has given Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the discretion to grant Veloso clemency, a long-time appeal from her family and supporters.
Veloso left the Philippines in 2010, hoping to find better opportunities abroad to provide for her family. Her recruiters, Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, had tricked her into becoming a drug mule. They have since been found guilty in an illegal recruitment case distinct from hers, and Veloso's case against them remains ongoing in a Nueva Ecija court, where she has yet to testify.
In a humanitarian move, Veloso has been granted a chance at justice and reunion with her family. As she embarks on this new chapter in her life, it is essential for justice to prevail, and the truth about her ordeal to be exposed.
- The unexpected move by Indonesia, under new leadership with President Prabowo Subianto, to transfer Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines has sparked general-news discussions about Philippine-Indonesian relations, as well as Veloso's long-awaited homecoming.
- Amid the joyous occasion of Mary Jane Veloso's return, politics and crime-and-justice intertwine, with Veloso's recruiters, Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, having been found guilty in an illegal recruitment case distinct from hers, and Veloso's case against them remaining ongoing in a Nueva Ecija court.
