Death row inmate in a 2.6-kilogram drug smuggling case, Mary Jane Veloso was repatriated to her native Philippines, through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten.
The Indonesian government sentenced Mary Jane to death for attempting to smuggle 2.6 kilograms of heroin through Yogyakarta Adisutjipto Airport in April 2010.
Mary Jane’s transfer is a follow-up to the signing of the Practical Arrangement between the Indonesian government, represented by the Coordinating Ministry of Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and Philippine Deputy Minister of Justice Raul T Vasquez.
“I am happy, very happy, really grateful to Mr President Prabowo, Mr Minister Yusril, and all the Indonesian people who support Mary Jane. God bless, I love Indonesia,” said Mary Jane, quoted by KompasTV.
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In addition, Mary said she was happy to be able to return to her home country after years of separation from her family.
Mary expressed her gratitude for the answer to the prayers she had been waiting for years.
“Finally, Mary’s prayers have been answered today, where later I will return to my country,” Mary said while sobbing.
She also expressed her belief that God has a beautiful plan in her life. She did not forget to express her gratitude to the various parties who had helped her during this long process.
Mary Jane meets her two children when she arrives in the Philippines
Fifteen years after being separated from her family, Mary Jane finally reunited with them in Manila.
Her two sons, who are now teenagers, approached for the first time Mary Jane. The two sons brought flowers and hugged their mother, Mary Jane.
They met moments after authorities transferred Mary Jane to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
Mary Jane also met with her entire family, including her parents, Cesar and Celia.
Mary Jane Veloso’s family has been pleading with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to grant a pardon releasing her from a planned life imprisonment in the Philippines.
Cover: Antara
