The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Indonesian government’s update on the situation of Mary Jane Veloso and her possible return to the Philippines after over a decade of consultations and diplomatic engagements.
Back in October 2010, Veloso was sentenced to death upon being discovered at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia with 2.6 kilograms of heroin inside her suitcase. From the very beginning of the investigations, Veloso remained firm that it was her recruiters that tricked her into bringing a suitcase containing illegal drugs. With the efforts of the Philippine government, back in April 2015, a last-minute reprieve was given to Veloso by the Indonesian President at that time, President Joko Widodo.
Fourteen years later, on 19 November 2024, official statements from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirm the agreement that the Philippines has made with the Indonesian government regarding the return of Veloso to the country to serve her remaining sentence. Along with the Executive, the CHR extends its sincerest gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government on this significant development, a stark proof of the continuous dialogue and diplomatic exchanges made with the Philippines to address Veloso’s situation.
Earlier this year, the Commission also expressed its support for the Indonesian government’s reexamination of Veloso’s case, particularly following its former President Joko Widodo’s expressed commitment to reconsider the decision regarding the Filipina’s drug-related charges. This renewed commitment paved the way for further diplomatic engagement, culminating in the long-awaited resolution of her case and the victorious outcome of her release and return to her motherland. https://bit.ly/3Sje6hv
The Commission thus applauds the efforts of the President Marcos Jr. and the DFA for their continuous proactiveness for over a decade that allowed Veloso to finally have a chance to come back to her home country and her family while serving the rest of her sentence. CHR commends the initiative of the current Philippine authorities in pursuing justice beyond our own territorial bounds. After all, promoting and protecting the dignity of every Filipino will always include our migrant workers, parallel to our foreign policy which also prioritizes the welfare of Filipinos overseas.
To further contextualize the return of Veloso to the Philippines, it must be noted that this was arranged in accordance with Indonesia’s recent policy on the transfer of foreign prisoners to their home countries. Therefore, Veloso’s sentence will continue upon her arrival in the Philippines. The Commission has also taken cognizance of President Marcos Jr.’s assurance that the government will study the option of granting clemency to Veloso.
In line with these precedents, the CHR takes the opportunity to remind the Philippine government to uphold the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders or the Bangkok Rules. This is to ensure that all efforts needed for constitutional actionable steps towards the reformation and possible reintegration of Veloso and the rest of the PDLs to mainstream society are actualized.
The Commission expresses its full support for the significant efforts to help Veloso attain justice. This has opened a symbol of hope for other migrant workers that are facing the same condition whom we continue to fight for. Attached to our Constitutional mandate to promote and protect the rights of every Filipino, including our migrant workers, the Commission remains steadfast in ensuring that no violations to their human rights are being committed against them.
As the country’s national human rights institution, the CHR stays true to its mantra—handang maglingkod kailanman, saan man, maging sino ka man.
