MANILA – There are no final arrangements yet for the transfer of Filipina convict Mary Jane Veloso from Indonesia to a Philippine facility, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
“We are still finalizing details with the Indonesian government so there are no final arrangements yet,” DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega said to DZRH.
De Vega also mentioned that the purpose of the transfer request is for Veloso “to serve here [Philippines] until such time that she can be given clemency.”
“We remain hopeful in a mutually satisfactory solution that will do justice to Mary Jane Veloso while strengthening the bonds of friendship between both our countries,” De Vega added.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Ministry of Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Community of Indonesia (Menko Kumham Imipas) said that their government did indeed receive an official request from the Philippine Government regarding the transfer of death row convict Veloso.
In a news release, the Ministry said that “the transfer process can be carried out if the conditions set by the Indonesian Government are met.”
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra also emphasized that the Indonesian government did not release death row convict Mary Jane, but returned her to her country of origin through a policy of transferring prisoners or "transfer of prisoner".
Responding to the statement by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Minister Yusril stated that there was no word 'free' in the release, the Ministry stressed.
"There is no free word in President Marcos' statement. 'Bring her back to the Philippines' means bringing her back to the Philippines," said Yusril in a written press statement to the media, in Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov. 20).
Malacanang released a statement on Wednesday with President Marcos thanking the Indonesian government for their “goodwill” and is “look[ing] forward to welcoming Mary Jane home.”
Marcos also underscored the efforts extended by the Philippine government, through “diplomacy” and “consultations” with the Indonesian government, which resulted in the “delay” of Mary Jane’s execution, and finally “long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister Yusril mentioned a number of conditions that must be fulfilled by countries applying for the transfer of prisoners or transfer of prisoner.
“First, recognizing and respecting the final decision of the Indonesian court in punishing its citizens who are proven to have committed criminal acts in the territory of Indonesia. Second, the prisoner is returned to his country of origin to serve the remainder of his sentence there in accordance with the Indonesian court decision. Third, transfer and security costs during the trip are borne by the country concerned,” Yusril said.
Regarding the granting of leniency in the form of remissions, pardons and the like, Coordinating Minister Yusril said that this will be under the authority of the head of state concerned.
"In the case of Mary Jane, who was sentenced to death in Indonesia, it is possible that President Marcos will grant pardon and change her sentence to life imprisonment, considering that the death penalty has been abolished in the Philippine criminal code, so this step is within the full authority of the President of the Philippines," said Yusril.
Coordinating Minister Yusril also mentioned that the initiation of the transfer process for Mary Jane is estimated to start on December 2024.
Earlier, DFA confirmed that the Philippines and Indonesian governments have been engaged in discussions regarding the possible transfer of Veloso to a Philippine facility.
This is after Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction confirmed that its government is “considering” a request to transfer Veloso to a Philippine prison.
Veloso was arrested in 2010 after Indonesian authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase.
She was sentenced to death in the same year, but was given a last-minute reprieve in April 2015 when the Indonesian government was informed by their counterparts in Manila that her recruiters had surrendered.
In a release, the Ministry also mentioned that its minister Yusril and Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Alagon Jamoralin recently met to discuss the status of Veloso’s case.
Meanwhile, the DFA expressed “hope” and “prayer” for the successful resolution of the issue.
“The DFA joins the Filipino nation in the hope and prayers for a successful resolution of this issue, one which shall do justice to Ms. Veloso and her family while strengthening the deep bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia,” the DFA said.
