Mary Jane Veloso’s sister, a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, revealed she experienced sexual abuse from her employer. During a visit by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to the Veloso family in Nueva Ecija, she bravely spoke about her ordeal.
She recounted, “He hugged me from behind twice while touching me. I told his wife, but she didn’t believe me. Instead, she accused me of enjoying it.”
Cacdac assured immediate action, stating the Philippine labor attaché in Saudi Arabia would ensure her safe return and assist in filing any claims against her employer. “We will help her with her case and arrange her journey home,” he said.
In addition to addressing the abuse, Cacdac brought financial aid, food packs, and a TESDA scholarship voucher to the Veloso family.
Mary Jane Veloso, the sister of the victim, gained international attention after being sentenced to death in Indonesia in 2010 for unknowingly smuggling heroin. Her case sparked a national movement for justice, as she was believed to have been a victim of human trafficking. After years of negotiation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Veloso would soon return to the Philippines.
Her family eagerly awaits her return. Her father, Cesar Veloso, expressed hope: “We now have high hopes for her homecoming.”
Meanwhile, her son, Mark, emotionally shared his plans, “I will hug my mom tightly, kiss her, and take her anywhere she wants. We will make up for all the lost time.”
The Veloso family remains resilient as they navigate these challenges, hopeful for justice and reunion.
