After nearly 15 years in an Indonesian prison, Mary Jane Veloso returned to the Philippines today, December 18, marking the end of a long and painful chapter for the Filipino worker and her family.
Veloso’s flight from Jakarta took off early this morning and landed in Manila at 6:00 AM. Her return follows a years-long struggle for justice and freedom that began in 2010 when she was arrested for drug trafficking upon arrival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Authorities found 2.6 kilograms of illegal drugs in her luggage, which she has consistently maintained were planted without her knowledge.
Now 39 years old, Veloso had been on death row in Indonesia after being convicted of drug trafficking.
Her case drew national and international attention, with human rights advocates, government officials, and her family pleading for clemency and asserting her innocence.
In November, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that the Philippines and Indonesia had reached an agreement to transfer Veloso back to her home country.
Under this agreement, Veloso would continue serving her sentence in the Philippines, with President Marcos having the authority to decide her fate moving forward.
Upon her return, Veloso expressed overwhelming joy at the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with her children and family.
She also appealed for complete freedom, reiterating that she had no involvement in the drug trade.
