After an arduous battle against wrongful imprisonment, Mary Jane Veloso is back in the Philippines, having spent nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia. Her return follows a diplomatic arrangement between the two nations.
Filipino Woman Exonerated After Nearly Two Decades on Death Row Returns Home
Filipino Woman Exonerated After Nearly Two Decades on Death Row Returns Home
Mary Jane Veloso, a mother of two, has been reunited with her family after spending 15 years in an Indonesian prison on drug charges.
Mary Jane Veloso, a 39-year-old mother of two, has returned to the Philippines after spending nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia, where she was sentenced for drug trafficking. Veloso was arrested in 2010 for carrying 2.6kg of heroin at Yogyakarta airport. Throughout her incarceration, she maintained her innocence, claiming that she had been deceived into smuggling the drugs by individuals she believed were helping her secure a job.
Her long-awaited return was facilitated by an agreement between the Philippine and Indonesian governments, enabling her transfer as a prisoner. Speaking at a press conference, Veloso expressed her joy at finally being home, stating, "This is a new life for me, and I will have a new beginning in the Philippines." She expressed a strong desire to reunite with her children, emphasizing that family remains her priority.
Veloso's journey to freedom was fraught with delays and challenges. She narrowly escaped execution in 2015 thanks to intervention from the Philippine government, which successfully sought a reprieve after the arrest of the woman accused of recruiting her. This woman was subsequently charged with human trafficking, allowing Veloso to become a vital prosecution witness in the case against her.
Her plight garnered significant attention and sympathy in the Philippines, where the death penalty has been abolished. The case resonates deeply in a country where many women seek employment abroad as domestic workers to escape poverty.
As she prepared for her flight back home, Veloso reflected on the items she brought along, including personal mementos gifted by friends during her time in prison. Her transfer comes shortly after the return of several other prisoners from Indonesia, illustrating a shift in the tides for those once condemned.
Mary Jane Veloso's release marks a hopeful end to her painful ordeal, opening the door to a new beginning with her family and community.
