After being convicted of drug trafficking in 2010 and facing imminent execution, Veloso maintained she was a victim of circumstances, tricked into carrying heroin.
Filipina Mary Jane Veloso Released After 15 Years on Death Row in Indonesia
Filipina Mary Jane Veloso Released After 15 Years on Death Row in Indonesia
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina woman who spent nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia, is finally heading home after a deal between governments.
Mary Jane Veloso, a 39-year-old mother of two from the Philippines, has been released from nearly 15 years on death row in Indonesia and is on her way back home. Veloso was sentenced to death in 2010 after authorities discovered she was carrying 2.6kg of heroin at an Indonesian airport. Throughout her time in prison, she steadfastly claimed she was tricked into smuggling drugs by a woman linked to her family.
On Tuesday night, Veloso was handed over to Philippine officials following an agreement that allowed her return to the Philippines. "This is a new life for me and I will have a new beginning in the Philippines," she stated at a news conference, expressing her desire to reunite with her children during the Christmas season. Although she will return as a prisoner, there may be a chance for reprieve from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
Her legal troubles began in April 2010 when Veloso was arrested at Yogyakarta airport. She had been convinced by the daughter of one of her godparents to travel to Indonesia for a domestic helper job—believing it to be a legitimate opportunity. Only later did Veloso discover that the items she was handed, which included a bag and clothing, contained the hidden drugs.
In 2015, she came within moments of facing a firing squad but was spared at the last minute when the Philippine government intervened. This happened as the woman seen as her recruiter was arrested and charged with human trafficking, with Veloso designated as a key witness for the prosecution.
As her story garnered considerable sympathy back in the Philippines—a country that has abolished the death penalty—many resonated with her plight, reminding them of the struggles faced by overseas workers seeking better fortunes. As she left prison, Veloso expressed her intention to bring back items of sentimental value, such as a guitar, books, and gifts from friends.
Her release comes shortly after the return of the remaining members of the "Bali Nine," another group previously sentenced for drug crimes, who had also spent nearly two decades in Indonesian prisons. Veloso’s case highlights the desperation and vulnerability of many Filipinas seeking work abroad.
