A Filipina inmate sentenced to death in Indonesia, Mary Jane Veloso, was officially handed over to Philippine officials in Jakarta on Tuesday. She later boarded a Cebu Pacific flight back to Manila following a formal agreement between the two countries for her repatriation.
Veloso, 39, and a mother of two, was arrested in 2010 when 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin were found in her luggage. Her case sparked a nationwide outcry in the Philippines.
Speaking to the press before her departure, Veloso expressed her joy and hope for a fresh start. “I have to go home because my family and children are waiting for me. I want to spend Christmas with them,” she said emotionally. “This is a new life for me and a new beginning in the Philippines.”
The agreement between Jakarta and Manila allows her to serve the remainder of her sentence under Philippine jurisdiction. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos now holds the authority to grant her clemency.
While Veloso expressed gratitude for her release, she shared mixed feelings about leaving Indonesia, calling it her “second family.” To show her love for the country, she sang the Indonesian national anthem at the event. “Please pray for me,” she said tearfully.
The handover event was attended by Indonesian immigration officials, correctional staff, and representatives from the Philippine embassy. After addressing the press, Veloso broke into tears as she called her family to share the news.
Before leaving Jakarta, Veloso reflected on her time in prison, showcasing her Indonesian batik creations and sharing stories of the skills she developed, like playing the guitar and volleyball. “I bring so many memories with me—my guitar, books, and even this t-shirt, gifted by friends,” she said.
Veloso’s deportation stamp now prevents her from returning to Indonesia. Her mother, Celia Veloso, has publicly urged Philippine President Marcos to grant her daughter clemency so she can celebrate Christmas at home.
Veloso’s story has long been considered a “miracle.” In 2015, she was moments away from facing the firing squad when the Philippine government secured a last-minute reprieve. The arrest of a woman suspected of recruiting Veloso as a trafficking victim ultimately saved her life, with Veloso named a key witness in the case.
Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and foreigners have previously faced execution for drug-related offenses. According to human rights group KontraS, over 530 inmates remain on death row in Indonesia, including 96 foreigners charged with drug crimes as of November.
The country recently transferred back the remaining members of Australia’s Bali Nine and is negotiating the release of French prisoner Serge Atlaoui, who has been in custody since 2005. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has shown willingness to fulfill requests for prisoner repatriation agreements.
