Mary Jane Veloso may finally return to the Philippines, 14 years after her arrest in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for drug trafficking.
The Indonesian media announced on Monday, that the Indonesian government is considering the option of transferring foreign inmates to their respective countries, as part of constructive diplomacy. The said option includes the Filipino Overseas Worker (OFW) who was arrested in 2010. According to the Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction, they are discussing the possibility of granting the Philippines’ request for Veloso’s transfer.
Earlier in November, Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra and the Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Alagon Jamoralin, met to discuss the status of Veloso’s case. If the Indonesian government permits Veloso's transfer, the OFW would continue to serve her remaining sentence in the Philippines. This however, is subject to conditions determined by the Indonesian court's ruling.
Once she is transferred to the Philippines, her rehabilitation, including on whether they would grant remission or clemency, would all be turned over by the Indonesian government. The said policy is part of Manila and Jakarta's efforts to strengthen international law and enforcement.
She has continued to fight for her freedom since her arrest, asserting her innocence, and as a victim of human trafficking. In 2015, she was given a temporary reprieve from her execution by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, after allegations related to the matter emerged.
It was said that the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Ecija charged Veloso's traffickers: Julius Lacanilao and Cristina Sergio, for human trafficking and large-scale recruitment.
Veloso was arrested after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase when she was in Yogyakarta.
She has been in death row prison in Indonesia for 14 years.
