Malacañang confirmed that Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino worker who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2010, is scheduled to return to the Philippines.
"With much appreciation and gratefulness to the Republic of Indonesia, we confirm the imminent return of our kababayan, Mary Jane Veloso," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement on Monday.
He added that Veloso's repatriation results from over a decade of consistent discussions, consultations, and diplomatic efforts between the Philippines and Indonesia.
"Duty-bound as we are to honor the conditions for her transfer to Philippine jurisdiction, we are truly elated to welcome Mary Jane back to her homeland and family, from whom she has been distanced for too long," he added.
While her repatriation has been confirmed, Malacañang remains silent on the exact schedule of Veloso's arrival in Manila.
On December 6, the Philippines and Indonesia signed an agreement to finalize the process for Mary Jane Veloso's repatriation.
Indonesia also pledged to respect any decision the Philippines may make regarding Veloso’s case upon her return, including the potential granting of clemency.
Meanwhile, Veloso's family's planned visit to Indonesia on December 15 was previously canceled due to her impending transfer to another facility in Jakarta. This move marks the start of her return process to the Philippines.
An Indonesian official further confirmed that Veloso is set to leave this week, with her departure scheduled for December 18.
On November 20, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Veloso was finally set to return to the Philippines after more than a decade of negotiations and appeals to Indonesia.
In 2010, Indonesian authorities arrested Veloso in Yogyakarta after discovering 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase. She was subsequently sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
