JAKARTA, Indonesia — A Filipina woman, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, who was previously sentenced to death in Indonesia and narrowly escaped execution in 2015, returned to her home country early Wednesday following persistent appeals from the Philippines.
Veloso, who spent nearly 15 years imprisoned for drug trafficking, received a reprieve that will allow her to provide crucial testimony regarding how a criminal organization exploited her, turning her into an unaware drug courier.
Her arrival was met with an emotional welcome at Manila’s airport from family and supporters, including her two sons who were aged just 1 and 6 when she was arrested in 2010. Social media displays and banners proclaimed “Welcome home Mary Jane,” as emotional supporters held flowers to celebrate her return.
On Sunday, Veloso was relocated from her prison in Yogyakarta to Jakarta, and she departed for Manila late Tuesday evening. Her repatriation was facilitated by a “practical arrangement” concerning inmate transfers, which was signed by both nations on December 6.
This transfer effectively eliminates the threat of execution, as the Philippines, notable for its strong Catholic heritage, has abolished the death penalty. Welcomed by cheers and tears from a crowd, Veloso’s parents expressed their joy and frustration, particularly as her mother, Celia, lamented that they could not approach her more closely.
Officials indicated that family members and lawyers would spend some time with Veloso at a Manila correctional facility, where she was placed for her safety. Celia expressed hope that the president would consider granting clemency to her daughter, although a presidential palace representative indicated that no decision has yet been reached on that matter.
A crowd of approximately 100 supporters gathered, chanting for clemency as Veloso’s vehicle pulled up to the correctional facility. Prior to her departure, Veloso conveyed her emotional gratitude, stating that she had received kindness from both inmates and staff during her 14-year imprisonment and shared that she had accumulated various mementos, including a guitar and knitting supplies during her time inside.
In a heartfelt statement at the airport, Veloso thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, along with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for their involvement in her return. “I am grateful to God who has answered my prayers,” she added, expressing her hopes for the future.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega lauded the transfer as a testament to fruitful diplomatic efforts between the two nations, emphasizing a commitment to rule of law and human rights. Indonesian law minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra acknowledged that clemency decisions for Veloso lie solely within the Philippines’ authority.
According to the terms of their agreement, Veloso is prohibited from returning to Indonesia for life. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo praised the Indonesian government for its decisive actions in facilitating Veloso’s return prior to the holiday season.
President Marcos remarked that the nation is already celebrating this significant return. Prison officials noted that Veloso will undergo quarantine at the women’s penal facility in Manila before reuniting with her family on Christmas Eve.
Next month, Veloso will mark her 40th birthday. She was apprehended in 2010 at an airport in Yogyakarta with approximately 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin concealed in her luggage. Her arrest and subsequent conviction sparked significant outrage in the Philippines.
Veloso was in Indonesia under the pretense of a job as a domestic worker, misled by a recruiter who allegedly provided the suitcase containing the illicit drugs. In 2015, she was transferred to an island prison alongside other drug convicts, all of whom were set to face execution. However, her execution was postponed when the recruiter was arrested just days prior in the Philippines.
Despite having stringent drug laws, Indonesia remains a key destination for drug trafficking due to international syndicates targeting its population. Currently, around 530 individuals remain on death row in Indonesia for drug-related offenses, with executions last carried out in July 2016. Recently, another bilateral agreement allowed five Australians who had spent two decades in Indonesian prisons to return to their home country.
