MANILA, Philippines — After 14 years on death row in Indonesia and being nearly executed by firing squad for drug trafficking, Mary Jane Veloso came home to the Philippines yesterday and was welcomed by the embrace of her family.
Veloso, 39, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Cebu Pacific flight 5J 760 at 6:24 a.m., accompanied by ranking government officials, and with personnel from the Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation securing her.
Veloso’s children and other relatives who traveled from Nueva Ecija were unable to get close to her when she arrived, as she was immediately escorted to a Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) vehicle and taken to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, where she was briefly reunited with her family.
At the CIW, she appealed to President Marcos to grant her clemency.
As Veloso, her parents, sons and siblings shared tight embraces, tears of joy streamed down their faces, which were lit up with big smiles.
Supporters also gathered at the CIW, pleading for clemency and freedom for Veloso. They carried flowers and Christmas lanterns and presents labeled “clemency.”
In an interview, Veloso’s eldest son, Mark Danielle Candelaria, said they are happy that she is in the Philippines and also asked the President for clemency so that they can celebrate Christmas and New Year as “whole.”
Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death after she was caught in an airport carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.
In 2015, she narrowly escaped death by firing squad when Indonesian President Joko Widodo granted a last-minute reprieve, allowing Philippine authorities to prosecute the alleged traffickers who duped her into smuggling drugs.
She has always maintained her innocence, saying she was duped into carrying the suitcase that had a secret stash of heroin.
“I am so happy that I have come home to our country,” she said in Filipino from behind the gate of the CIW. “I wish the President could give me clemency.”
Executive clemency “refers to reprieve, absolute pardon, conditional pardon with or without parole conditions and commutation of sentence granted by the President.”
As she was transferred to the Philippines, Veloso’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, since there is no death penalty in the Philippines.
According to the BuCor, Veloso will be held in the Reception and Diagnostic Center for 60 days – a five-day quarantine followed by a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation and initial security classification.
The five-day quarantine is expected to end on Dec. 24, allowing Veloso’s immediate family to visit her for Christmas.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Veloso’s family can visit her “as often as they want for as long as they follow the protocols of the BuCor.”
Clemency
Since Indonesia did not impose any condition on the repatriation of Veloso, the Philippines no longer needs permission from the Indonesian government should executive clemency be granted to her.
However, the DOJ noted that the granting of clemency lies with the President and that Veloso is among many other PDLs seeking clemency, especially those who are elderly and sickly.
“It doesn’t mean that because she is in the limelight now we will forget other Filipinos with equally sad situations who are imprisoned here in the country,” DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.
“We have to count our blessings. Number one, we were able to reduce a death sentence to life. Second, we were able to bring her back with us. Third, bringing her back to us means she will be subjected to all the rights and privileges of a person deprived of liberty (PDL),” he added.
GCTA for Veloso
If not granted clemency, Veloso can still avail of credits under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law for her early release, according to the DOJ.
Since Indonesia did not place any conditions when it signed the agreement with the Philippines to transfer her to her home country, Veloso will be treated as an ordinary PDL under Philippine laws and will receive the same privileges granted by the BuCor to other PDLs.
The DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier signed the amended implementing rules and regulations of the GCTA law, following a Supreme Court decision that allowed the grant of the privilege to those convicted of heinous crimes, recidivists, escapees and habitual delinquents.
With Veloso’s return, state prosecutors can continue with the proceedings on the human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa cases filed in court against her alleged recruiters, Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanlinao, who were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020.
The DOJ earlier assured Veloso she will be kept separate from Sergio and Lacanlinao. It added that Veloso is a “very crucial witness” on the charges against the convicted illegal recruiters.
However, Veloso will no longer need to be put under the witness protection program since she will already be in custody of the country’s corrections system.
Gratitude
President Marcos on Wednesday thanked anew the Indonesian government and all those who helped in facilitating the return of Veloso to the Philippines, where she would serve the remainder of her sentence.
“We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Indonesian government and to all who have extended assistance for the welfare of Ms. Mary Jane Veloso,” the President said in a statement.
Marcos said Veloso’s homecoming was made possible by the Philippines’ “strong friendship” and cooperation with the Indonesian government.
The case of Veloso is a testament of the trust and friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo added.
For his part, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Mary Jane’s story is a clear reminder of the dangers that OFWs face abroad, adding that their sacrifices symbolize their deep love for their families.
“Today, we open our hearts and arms as we welcome back Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines. After enduring a harrowing 14 years in an Indonesian prison, her return is a profound relief and a source of immense joy, not only to her family but to all Filipinos who have followed her ordeal with heavy hearts,” Romualdez said.
“For Mary Jane, your return gives inspiration and hope to us all,” he said. “For our OFWs in whatever part of the world, this day is a reminder of our continued efforts to protect and support you. Your sacrifices are recognized and valued by the whole country.”
Well-wishes
In Congress, lawmakers welcomed the return of Veloso after her 14-year incarceration in an Indonesian prison for drug trafficking.
House committee on overseas workers affairs chair and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the country celebrates the long-awaited return to the country of Mary Jane.
House foreign affairs committee member and Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said the Filipino people “are not forgetful about matters involving ‘utang na loob’ and goodwill like the kind generated by the release of Mary Jane Veloso.”
Bohol Rep. Alexie Besas Tutor said Veloso “can qualify for executive clemency in the form of commutation of sentence to time served,” adding that executive clemency processes will eventually happen.
“There are established local processes for executive clemency. The requests for executive clemency can be conditional or absolute pardon or commutation of sentence for time served. There can also be other options. It is important to note that the laws violated are those of Indonesia, not Philippine laws. The presidential pardon powers cover Philippine laws only,” Tutor explained further.
“This is why the commutation of sentence for time served is the most viable option. The effect would be the same: Mary Jane Veloso will inevitably gain her freedom. She also must testify against those people who caused her hardships,” she added.
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino said Veloso’s return is a symbol of “hope, love and unity,” while Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña urged protections and better reintegration programs for OFWs.
Inventory of OFWs
Senate President Francis Escudero has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to do an inventory and accounting of Filipinos presently incarcerated abroad and possibly assist them following the successful return of Veloso.
Escudero said the government through the DFA should provide all the necessary legal assistance to Filipinos jailed overseas to secure their freedom.
“I hope that Mary Jane’s repatriation is only the first of many Filipinos similarly situated in various parts of the world,” Escudero said.
“This (Veloso’s return) proves that PBBM (President Marcos) and his government truly care for Filipinos who are in foreign lands and away from their families,” he said, adding that this should serve as “a wake-up call for all of us to focus on the plight of similarly situated Filipinos.”
He said the DFA, through its foreign missions, should work alongside the Department of Migrant Workers whenever they are alerted about cases of Filipinos facing legal troubles overseas.
“They should find out the nature of the cases against them. What has been or can be done to help them regain their liberty . . . and assist them to make their detention more bearable,” Escudero said. – Mayen Jaymalin, Helen Flores, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rudy Santos