After 14 years of incarceration, Filipina domestic worker Mary Jane Veloso is finally set to return home from Indonesia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the announcement on Wednesday, November 20, marking the end of a long and tumultuous chapter that has spanned across three Philippine administrations.
Veloso’s ordeal began in 2010 when she was arrested for drug trafficking during the term of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. In 2015, as Veloso faced execution by firing squad, Aquino made a last-minute appeal to Indonesia, following the surrender of Veloso’s illegal recruiter to Philippine authorities. The execution was postponed at the eleventh hour, so close that some media outlets prematurely reported her death.
Under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, the handling of Veloso’s case remained unclear. While Indonesia claimed that Duterte gave the green light for execution due to his strong anti-drug stance, Duterte denied this, asserting that he had requested clemency but would ultimately respect Indonesia’s decision.
Talks continued under President Marcos, culminating in significant progress after discussions with former Indonesian president Joko Widodo in January, who promised to re-examine Veloso’s case. Her imminent return was made possible under the new administration of President Prabowo Subianto, who succeeded Widodo.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill. This outcome is a reflection of the depth our nation’s partnership with Indonesia—united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion,” Marcos said. “We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane home.”
Marcos highlighted the decades-long diplomatic efforts that kept Veloso from execution and ultimately secured her homecoming. “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 finally bring her back to the Philippines,” he stated.
Marcos also described Veloso as 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 said.
