President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian government and all those who provided support for the welfare of Mary Jane Veloso.
"We are pleased to announce that she was turned over into the custody of Philippine officials in the evening of December 17," said Marcos.
"She arrived in Manila accompanied by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Corrections, this morning, 18 December 2024," he added.
BASAHIN: Nagpasalamat si Pang. @bongbongmarcos sa gobyerno ng Indonesia at sa lahat ng nagpaabot ng tulong para kay Mary Jane Veloso na nakauwi na sa Pilipinas ngayong araw, Disyembre 18. | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/wKW32bAoRr
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 18, 2024
Marcos further assured the public that Veloso’s safety and well-being remain a top priority.
He emphasized that government agencies in the justice and law enforcement sectors will continue to ensure her protection, just as their Indonesian counterparts have done for so long.
Furthermore, he stated that the "imminent" return of the Filipina death row convict is welcomed by the Philippine government, highlighting that it was made possible through the "strong friendship and cooperation" between the Philippine and Indonesian governments.
Veloso, who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2010, returned to the Philippines on Wednesday, escorted by officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Upon her arrival, she was promptly transported to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), where she will be held in detention.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane Veloso's family continues to appeal for clemency from President Marcos, following Indonesia's declaration that it will respect any decisions the Philippine government makes regarding Veloso's case upon her arrival in the country.
