Mary Jane Veloso's sister back in PH — DMW

A sister of Filipino death row drug convict Mary Jane Veloso has returned to the Philippines following her ordeal of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of her employer in Saudi Arabia.

In a social media post on Monday evening, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said its head, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, discussed the return of Veloso's sister in a meeting with her parents, Cesar and Celia, at the agency's head office in Mandaluyong City.

Mary Jane's sister arrived in the Philippines on November 29, the DMW said, and promptly received financial assistance.

"He (Cacdac) also informed the Veloso family that they would receive additional financial support to improve their home, which was originally constructed with the initial assistance provided by the late DMW Secretary Susan 'Toots' Ople," the DMW said.

It added, "Cacdac expressed hope that this funding would significantly enhance their living conditions in Nueva Ecija."
                     
As this developed, the DMW said Cacdac assured the Velosos that the agency would inquire with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding their request for a possible "compassionate visit with Mary Jane."

A senior minister in Indonesia said in late November that the country plans to return prisoners from Australia, France and the Philippines by the end of the year. The announcement came after the same official said President Prabowo Subianto had "approved the transfer" of Mary Jane.

READ | Timeline: Mary Jane Veloso, from OFW dreamer to death row inmate

Meanwhile, the DMW also pledged to provide counseling sessions for Celia and Cesar's eldest grandson, who declined Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training recently offered by the Migrant Workers Department in Nueva Ecija.

The Veloso family will also receive healthcare assistance from the OFW Hospital in Pampanga, according to the DMW.

Cacdac recently delivered financial assistance, food baskets, and a TESDA scholarship voucher to the Velosos when he visited their home in Nueva Ecija.

During this visit, Veloso's sister was able to report her plight in Saudi Arabia. Cacdac had said the labor attaché in Saudi Arabia would immediately offer assistance.

Mary Jane was granted a stay of execution in 2015, five years after being arrested with a suitcase lined with 2.6 kilogram (5.7 pounds) of heroin at an airport in Indonesia.

She recently expressed feeling "very elated" after hearing she may soon return home. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News