Mary Jane Veloso's son waits for her return

Darren Candelaria was only two years old when his mother, Mary Jane Veloso, went abroad to work.

This was supposed to be Mary Jane's way to help her family. Instead, her journey became a nightmare after she was imprisoned and sentenced to death in Indonesia where she was convicted of drug trafficking after she was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in 2010.

For over 14 years, Darren and his older brother grew up without their mother.

“Naiinggit po ako minsan. Naiisip ko, kung si Mama kaya nandoon kasama kaya siya. Mahirap po dahil minsan binubully po kami sa school. Nakulong daw po ang magulang ko. Pero ‘di na po namin pinapansin dahil kapag pinatulan, balewala po. Kaya hindi na po namin pinapansin,” said Darren in an interview with Darlene Cay in 24 Oras on Thursday.

(I'm jealous sometimes. I thought, what if Mom could be here with me? It's hard because sometimes we are bullied at school. That our mother is in jail. But we don't pay attention anymore because it would be pointless if we had minded or fought with them. So we don't pay attention anymore.)

Darren is now 17 years old. 

After over a decade of waiting, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Manila and Jakarta have reached an agreement to transfer the 39-year old Veloso to the Philippines, saying it reflected the two nations' partnership and "shared commitment to justice and compassion."

“Sana po pag-uwi niya dine, lahat ng masasayang bagay pupuntahan namin, kasama lang siya. Para masulit namin ang panahon. Mabawi man lang namin ang panahon na wala siya,” Darren said. 

(I hope when she's home, we'll be able to visit happy places and just be with her. So we could cherish the time. Just to at least get back the time we could've had when she was away.) 

Mary Jane's parents were also happy to hear the news, and they even prepared her room in their house in Nueva Ecija.

“Mary Jane, anak, ito na yung kwarto mo. Pagdating mo, dito ka na matutulog,” said Cesar.

(Mary Jane, my child, here is your room. When you arrive, you'll be sleeping here.)

Mary Jane is the youngest among her four siblings.

“’Yang mga anak ko po na 'yan. Pinalaki kong may takot sa Diyos. Masakit dahil nagdusa ang aking anak na walang kasalanan kaya masakit na masakit po,” said Cesar. 

(I raised my children to fear God. It hurts because my innocent child suffered, so it hurts so much.)

However, Mary Jane's family is also afraid for her safety upon her return because Mary Jane's recruiter had previously threatened them.

“Nasisiyahan kami, na hindi ho namin alam na parang takot din po. Ewan ko po ba. Para po sa akin noon, mas gusto ko na sa indonesia nakakulong pero ayaw ko naman habang buhay nandoon siya. Kaya bahala na ang Diyos kako,” said Celia. 

(We are happy, but we are also afraid. I don't know. For me, before, I used to think she was better in prison in Indonesia, but I don't want her to be there forever. I said God will take care of it.) 

Due to this concern, her parents called on the Philippine government to secure her safety upon her return.

“Ang hiling ko po sa ating mahal na Pangulo, sana po kapag uwi ng aking anak, huwag na niya ikulong. Diretso na iuwi sa amin para makapiling na namin siya. Sabik na sabik na po ako sa aking anak gusto ko na pong mayakap ng mahigpit. Sa tagal po na nagdusa ang aking anak sa Indonesia, sana po diretso na makauwi ang anak ko rito,” said Cesar. 

(My request to our dear President, I hope when my daughter comes home, don't lock her up. Bring her home directly to us so we can be with her. I am very anxious for my daughter; I want to embrace her close. For a long time  my daughter suffered in Indonesia, I hope that my daughter can go home directly.)

The Veloso family has not yet spoken to Mary Jane about the new development in her case, but in a statement from Mary Jane as read by her prison warden, she said that she is happy that an opportunity has been opened for her to return home and be with her family. 

Veloso said she is grateful to everyone who has helped her so she could return to the Philippines.
—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News