Migrante International
Press release
December 18, 2024
Following 14 years on death row and detention in Indonesia, human trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso returned to the Philippines on Wednesday, December 18.
Veloso’s family, legal counsel, and supporters trooped to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to welcome Mary Jane upon her arrival to Manila. At the airport, the welcome entourage of Veloso were elated, holding a banner welcoming Mary Jane back to her homeland.
The parents of Mary Jane were eager to reunite with their daughter since the day global public clamor pressured the Indonesian government to stay Veloso’s execution in 2015.
“Dahil sa maraming mga tao at organisasyong sumusuporta sa amin sa loob at labas ng bansa, hindi lamang natin naisalba si Mary Jane sa pagbitay. Sa wakas, makakapiling namin si Mary Jane dito sa Pilipinas dahil sa tulong niyong lahat,” said Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother.
Together with Mary Jane’s family in anticipating her arrival were her legal counsel from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), OFW group Migrante International, church leaders from the Save Mary Jane Task Force, and Liza Maza, former congresswoman and principal author of the 2003 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Migrante International praised Mary Jane’s return home after years of anguish struggle as a watershed moment for all migrants hoping to achieve justice for trafficking victims like Veloso.
“In all her bravery and determination, Mary Jane deserves this long-sought reunion with her family and homeland after being detained and nearly executed for a crime that she did not commit. She is now a living hero to countless other migrants in the greater fight to end human trafficking,” said Joanna Concepcion, Chairperson of Migrante International.
Veloso family reunion delayed at the airport by Philippine authorities
However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) neither permitted supporters nor family to personally welcome and reunite with Mary Jane at the airport. She was immediately escorted to the Bureau of Corrections vehicle, leaving her family here without the opportunity to welcome her at the airport.
Family members who were separated from Mary Jane for over a decade and travelled from Nueva Ecija to see her again were dismayed by the spoiled reunion.
“Ngayon na nga lang ako magkakaroon ng nanay dito sa Pilipinas, di man lang kami pinayagan makita at yakapin siya sa pag-uwi niya. Sana huwag nang patagalin pa ang pagdurusa ng aming pamilya,” said Darren Candelaria, 16, the younger son of Mary Jane who was less than 2 years old when Mary Jane left the country and fell victim to human traffickers.
Philippine authorities explained that Mary Jane was prohibited to embrace her family and supporters after years of separation because of a four-day quarantine set by the DOJ upon arrival to her home country. Migrante International questioned the DOJ’s reasoning for prolonging the separation between Mary Jane and her loved ones.
“The Philippine government had a big chance to demonstrate compassion for Veloso’s plight by letting her have at least a hug from her family at the airport who had dreamed of this moment for years. If Marcos Jr. is serious about granting her clemency, then the administration needs to start taking steps to acknowledge Mary Jane as a victim, not a criminal,” said Concepcion.
The homecoming entourage of Mary Jane nevertheless continued their convoy towards the CIW in Mandaluyong, where the DOJ intends to detain Veloso.
“People’s Salubong” for balikbayan Mary Jane Veloso
Upon Mary Jane Veloso’s arrival to the CIW, groups led by the Save Mary Jane Task Force were gathered outside the detention center to welcome her to the country.
The crowd was ecstatic to welcome Veloso with banners welcoming Mary Jane home and placards calling on President Marcos Jr. to grant her clemency. Other boards contained messages seeking justice for human trafficking victims, creating jobs with living wages, and ending the decades-long Labor Export Program in the Philippines.
“Nandito kami para ipamalas ang pagmamahal ng taumbayan kay Mary Jane. Hindi tumigil ang mga migrante at supporter ni Mary Jane dito at sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng mundo para ikampanya ang kanyang pag-uwi dito,” said Josie Pingkihan of Migrante International and the Save Mary Jane Task Force.
Gathered supporters also carried Mary Jane-themed parol lanterns and Christmas present boxes with labels of “clemency” to reflect the family’s wishes to be at home with Mary Jane this Christmas. “This holiday season, the greatest gift that Marcos Jr. can give to Mary Jane Veloso is clemency.”
Inside the CIW, the Veloso family was full of joy and hope as they reunited with Mary Jane. Family members gave Mary Jane hugs for the first time in years and gave a bouquet of flowers provided by other Filipino migrant families sympathetic to the plight of the balikbayan and her family.
Even during their tearful reunion, family and even Mary Jane herself did not mince words when asked for their appeals to President Marcos Jr.
“Pakiusap ko sa Pangulo, sana mabigyan na niya ako ng clemency,” said Mary Jane Veloso, as she was followed by applause and chants by her family for full and absolute clemency.
As the Veloso family was finally allowed to meet with her family at the CIW, supporters held a program outside the correctional facility for Mary Jane and her family. Migrante International led supporters in calling for justice for Mary Jane Veloso and all victims of human trafficking.
“Now that Mary Jane is back in her homeland, we are challenging Marcos Jr, to put an end to Mary Jane’s unnecessary suffering and detention here in the Philippines by granting her full and absolute clemency. He cannot stay silent and ignore the Filipino and international clamor for justice for Mary Jane and all victims of human trafficking,” said Pingkihan.
Supporters of Mary Jane Veloso concluded the People’s Salubong outside the CIW by vowing to continue the fight for Mary Jane’s clemency and justice.##
