From death row to life term: Mary Jane Veloso gets reduced sentence
MANILA, Philippines —The Indonesian government has agreed to commute Mary Jane Veloso's death sentence to life imprisonment.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed the development on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 to reporters following extensive diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.
"That's a long process. That took a long time. Well, since I came into office, what we were trying to do — what we were working on was to have her removed from death row, first and foremost, to commute her sentence to life imprisonment," Marcos said during an interview in Nueva Ecija.
Marcos attributed the move to strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Indonesia, specifically mentioning the roles of former President Joko Widodo and current President Prabowo Subianto.
"They said they have no interest in imprisoning or executing Mary Jane Veloso," Marcos said in Filipino.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, meanwhile, said Veloso will serve her sentence under Philippine custody, following conditions set by the Indonesian government.
Since the Philippines suspended the death penalty in 2006, her maximum penalty will be life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua.
Being subject to Philippine laws also means that she can be subject to executive clemency, Vasquez said.
READ: Clemency for Mary Jane Veloso ‘not impossible’ — SolGen | What is executive clemency?
The Department of Justice gave an assurance that Veloso will be protected upon her detention in the Philippines. Justice Undersecretary Mico Clavano confirmed that the Correctional Institute for Women has lower population density and secure facilities suitable for a high-profile detainee.
“CIW (Correctional Institute for Women), less yung population doon. The facilities there are kept very safe and secure, so obviously, she’s a high profile detainee if ever she gets back to the Philippines,” Clavano said.
“She can be assured by the DOJ and the Bureau of Corrections that she will be secure and safe in the facilities,” he added.
Vasquez also said that Veloso, in detention, will be protected if she is committed before the Bureau of Corrections.
Following the news of her possible return, her parents expressed concerns about her safety due to fears of "retaliation" by an "international syndicate."
What went before. Veloso was arrested in 2010 on drug trafficking charges. In 2015, she received a last-minute stay of execution after her recruiter surrendered to authorities, following an appeal from then-President Benigno Aquino III.
On November 20, Marcos announced that Veloso would return to the country after 14 years of incarceration in Indonesia, a week after Indonesian authorities announced they were considering her transfer.
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