Manila, Philippines – Upon return to the Philippines, Mary Jane Veloso appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for clemency, expressing her longing to permanently reunite with her family.
Arriving at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) early Wednesday, December 18, Veloso was greeted by her parents, sons, and siblings in an emotional reunion.
“Napakasaya ko! Nakauwi na ako dito sa bansa natin,” Veloso said.
“Pakiusap ko sa Pangulo, sana mabigyan na niya ako ng clemency,” she added.
However, Veloso’s family raised concerns about her safety at CIW, as her alleged trafficker, Cristina Sergio, is also detained there. The Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) assured measures to prevent any contact between them.
Concerning about her safety, Veloso assured: “Okay lang po [ako dito]. Ang importante po mabigyan na po ang clemency para makasama ko na po ang pamilya ko. Fourteen years na po akong nakakulong sa Indonesia, sa kaso na hindi ko ginawa,”
Likewise, supporters outside CIW, including Migrante International and the Save Mary Jane Task Force, continued to urge President Marcos to grant the plead, calling it a step toward justice for victims of trafficking. They also launched an online petition in November.
On the same day of her return, meanwhile, Malacañang said that it has yet to decide on clemency for Mary Jane Veloso. Yet, the Department of Justice (DOJ) noted she may also qualify for parole or release through good conduct time allowance.
Veloso was on the verge of death sentence in 2010 for smuggling heroin into Indonesia, though she has consistently claimed she was tricked into carrying the suitcase that contained the drugs.