Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia, might finally come home, but her parents are asking the Philippine government to ensure her safety if she’s transferred to a local jail.
Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother, expressed relief that her daughter could be brought back, even if she remains behind bars. However, she hopes Mary Jane will be placed in a secure facility to protect her from any threats posed by the international drug syndicate that tricked her into being a drug courier.
“I’m happy that she might come home, but I want her placed somewhere safe. Somewhere we won’t have to worry,” Celia said in an interview.
Mary Jane’s father, Cesar, shares the same fears. He recalled threats made by Mary Jane’s recruiter, who claimed to be part of an international drug syndicate. The recruiter warned the family to stay silent, even offering bribes, to avoid further trouble.
“When we confronted the recruiter, she said, ‘Don’t speak up; we’re part of an international syndicate. We can pay P5 million to free Mary Jane if you don’t talk to authorities,’” Cesar shared.
Mary Jane has been imprisoned since 2010 after being caught with drugs unknowingly hidden in her luggage. She was sentenced to death in Indonesia but has been spared execution so far.
The Veloso family now hopes that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will grant Mary Jane clemency or reduce her sentence to life imprisonment. They believe bringing her back to the Philippines will give her a chance to rebuild her life safely while serving her time.
The Philippine government’s next steps will determine Mary Jane’s fate, but for now, her parents hold on to the hope that their daughter will finally be closer to home, safe from harm.
