After nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia, Mary Jane Veloso, a 39-year-old mother who was sentenced to death in 2010 for carrying heroin in her suitcase, has returned to the Philippines.
His repatriation, made possible by an agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia, allowed him to be reunited with family this Christmas. Despite his troubled past, Veloso expressed gratitude to both countries and called his release a "miracle."
Veloso was taken to the Women's Correctional Facility in Manila where her sentence will continue under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, with the possibility of clemency or pardon from the President.
According to Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Indonesia's humanitarian action was instrumental in Veloso's return. Veloso showed off what he learned while in prison, such as making batik, playing the guitar, and playing volleyball.
Veloso's case shed light on Indonesia's strict anti-drug laws, where many are on death row for drug-related crimes. In 2015, he received a last-minute reprieve after the woman who recruited him was implicated in the case. Veloso's return is part of Indonesia's ongoing diplomatic dialogue and response to requests from other countries for humanitarian considerations.
