After a Decade, Mary Jane Veloso’s Homecoming to the Philippines is Finally Confirmed
MARY JANE VELOSO – President Marcos has confirmed the long-awaited return of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines, ending a decade of diplomatic efforts and uncertainty.
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina woman who has been incarcerated in Indonesia for over a decade, will soon be returning to the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Wednesday that the Philippine and Indonesian governments have reached an agreement to bring Veloso back to Manila after years of diplomatic efforts and consultations.
In his statement, President Marcos highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that it was the result of over ten years of discussions aimed at securing Veloso’s return. “We managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines,” Marcos said.
Veloso’s story has captivated many, as it sheds light on the struggles of a mother caught in the grip of poverty. In 2010, she was arrested at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after being found with over 2.6 kilograms of heroin. Veloso maintained that she was unaware of the drugs in her luggage, which had been given to her by her recruiters, Julius Lacanilao and Maria Cristina Sergio.
Despite her conviction under Indonesian law, Veloso’s case has drawn attention to the broader issue of human trafficking and exploitation. President Marcos emphasized that while Veloso was held accountable under the law, she remains a victim of her circumstances. “Mary Jane’s story resonates with many: a mother trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life,” he remarked.
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According to the report, Marcos also expressed gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their role in the agreement, praising it as a testament to the shared values of justice and compassion between the two nations. This decision marks the culmination of years of diplomatic efforts, providing Veloso with a chance to reunite with her family and begin a new chapter in her life.