Mary Jane Veloso’s long-awaited reunion with her family became an emotional moment on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as her children and other relatives embraced her warmly at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. The poignant scene marked the first time Veloso had seen her family after nearly 15 years in prison in Indonesia.
Veloso’s return to the Philippines earlier that morning was met with a wave of mixed emotions from supporters and loved ones. She arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport aboard a government-chartered flight, greeted by Filipino officials and advocates who had campaigned tirelessly for her release. The 39-year-old’s arrival concluded years of international negotiations and legal battles surrounding her case.
Veloso’s incarceration in Indonesia stemmed from a 2010 conviction for drug trafficking after authorities found heroin in her luggage upon her arrival in Yogyakarta. Veloso consistently maintained her innocence, claiming she was duped by a recruiter who had set her up as an unwitting drug courier. Her case became a flashpoint for debates on migrant workers’ vulnerabilities and the need for stronger protections against human trafficking.
In 2015, Veloso’s execution was stayed at the eleventh hour following a plea from the Philippine government and revelations implicating her alleged recruiters. Indonesian authorities allowed her to remain in prison as a key witness in the human trafficking case against her recruiters, who were later convicted in the Philippines.
The reunion at the Correctional Institution for Women was both joyful and bittersweet. Veloso’s two sons, now teenagers, struggled to hold back tears as they hugged their mother tightly. Her parents, Celia and Cesar Veloso expressed immense relief and gratitude that Mary Jane was finally back on Philippine soil, though they lamented the years lost to separation. “We’ve waited so long for this day,” Celia said. “Our prayers have been answered.”
Despite her return, Veloso’s legal troubles are not entirely over. She will remain detained in the Philippines while authorities review her case and determine the next steps. Human rights groups and migrant worker advocates continue to call for her full exoneration, arguing that she was a victim of human trafficking and deserved justice.
WATCH | Mary Jane Veloso's children and other family members give her a warm hug during their meeting at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City where she will be detained on Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2024).
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) December 18, 2024
Veloso returned to the Philippines early this morning… pic.twitter.com/6YzKn5za4i
For now, Veloso’s homecoming represents a significant milestone in a harrowing journey marked by resilience, hope, and the unyielding love of her family. “This is a new chapter for all of us,” her father said. “Mary Jane is finally home.”