MANILA – Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina domestic worker sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, is set to return to the Philippines after more than a decade of legal battles and diplomatic negotiations.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced on Nov 20 via social media that Veloso, a single mother of two, is “coming home” after extensive discussions with Indonesian authorities. Veloso, 39, was arrested in 2010 when 2.6kg of heroin was found hidden in her luggage. She has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming the drugs were planted without her knowledge.
“After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to bring her back to the Philippines,” said Marcos, expressing gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for the “goodwill” that enabled her transfer.
Veloso will serve the remainder of her sentence in the Philippines under the terms of the agreement, which also requires the Philippine government to acknowledge her conviction and cover her travel expenses. This unprecedented arrangement was confirmed by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra.
Her lawyer, Edre Olalia, described the development as groundbreaking: “I do not know of any existing protocol where a foreign national on death row is transferred to their home country to serve their sentence.”
While no return date has been announced, Philippine officials have indicated they are seeking clemency for Veloso.
Veloso’s ordeal began in 2010 when she traveled to Indonesia for work arranged by a recruiter, Maria Cristina Sergio. Upon her arrival, drugs were discovered in the luggage Sergio had given her. Sergio later confessed to being part of a human trafficking syndicate and is currently in a Philippine prison.
Veloso’s scheduled execution in April 2015 was halted at the last minute by then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo after Philippine President Benigno Aquino III intervened. The decision came after Sergio’s arrest provided evidence supporting Veloso’s claim that she was a victim of trafficking.
Rights groups, including Migrante International, have celebrated the news, emphasizing that Veloso’s case highlights the vulnerabilities of Filipino migrant workers exploited by traffickers.
“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,” President Marcos said, acknowledging the systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies.
Analysts see Veloso’s transfer as a diplomatic milestone for the Philippines and a sign of improving ties with Indonesia, which has long maintained strict anti-drug policies.