President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended his heartfelt thanks to the Indonesian government on Wednesday for their role in enabling the return of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines. Veloso, who had been detained in Indonesia, arrived back in the country early Wednesday morning.
In a statement, Marcos expressed appreciation not only to the Indonesian authorities but also to everyone who contributed to ensuring Veloso’s well-being. He highlighted the strong bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia that made Veloso’s transfer possible.
Marcos assured that Philippine justice and law enforcement agencies would continue to prioritize Veloso’s safety, acknowledging the long-term protection provided by their Indonesian counterparts. He emphasized that Veloso’s welfare remains a top priority.
Veloso was handed over to Philippine officials on Tuesday evening and was accompanied by representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Corrections. She landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City at approximately 5:51 a.m. on a Cebu Pacific flight.
Upon her arrival, Veloso was taken directly to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. There, she will undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine followed by a 55-day period for orientation, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification.
Veloso’s ordeal began in 2010 when she was arrested and sentenced to death after heroin was discovered in her luggage. Her execution was postponed at the last moment in April 2015 when her recruiters surrendered to authorities in Manila.