Marcos asked to request clemency for Mary Jane Veloso

The parents of Mary Jane Veloso on Friday asked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to request Indonesian President Joko Widodo for executive clemency for their daughter who is on death row.

In a letter, Cesar and Celia Veloso said they got information that Marcos will fly to Indonesia for his state visit and thought it is the right opportunity to appeal for Mary Jane's freedom.

“Kaya't nakikiusap po kami sa inyo Mahal na Pangulo na humiling ng executive clemency kay Pangulong Joko Widodo ng Indonesia para palayain na si Mary Jane Veloso. Mahigit na po na labing dalawang (12) taon siya sa piitan at nakawalay sa kanyang dalawang anak," they said.

(We are appealing to you beloved President to ask for an executive clemency from President Joko Widodo for the release of Mary Jane Veloso. She has been in jail for 12 years and away from her two children.)

"Nalaman po namin sa media na bibisita kayo sa Indonesia sa Setyembre 5, 2022 at nakikiusap po kami na sana'y gamitin ang magandang pagkakataong ito upang pakiusapan si Pangulong Joko Widodo na palayain na si Mary Jane Veloso batay po sa humanitarian consideration. Sana po ay maisama na niyo pauwi si Mary Jane,” they added.

(We learned from the media that you will visit Indonesia on September 5, 2022 and we appeal to you to use this opportunity to ask President Joko Widodo to free Mary Jane Veloso based on humanitarian consideration. We are hoping that you could bring Mary Jane with you when you return home.)

Mary Jane Veloso’s parents write a letter to PBBM to help secure her release from prison in Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/d0D7sKBCrN

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) September 2, 2022

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Wednesday that Marcos will discuss the case of Veloso with Indonesian officials during his state visit next week.

Veloso is in detention in Indonesia due to drug trafficking charges. She has denied the charges and maintained that her recruiters tricked her into bringing drugs by giving her a suitcase that contained illegal drugs in its seams.

She was supposed to be executed by firing squad in April 2015, but last minute appeal from then President Benigno Aquino III and the arrest of the Filipino's recruiters in the Philippines who allegedly planted drugs in her suitcase prompted Widodo to spare her life at the 11th hour.—Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA News