Mary Jane Veloso arrives in PH after almost 15 years in Indonesian jail

Filipino death row convict Mary Jane Veloso has finally returned home to the Philippines after more than a decade of detention in Indonesia for drug trafficking. 

Veloso arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via a Cebu Pacific commercial flight. 

She was accompanied by Philippine officials led by Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary Eduardo de Vega. 

The 39-year-old Filipina is on death sentence for drug trafficking after she was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in Indonesia in 2010.

In 2015, then Indonesian President Joko Widodo said their government gave Veloso only a "temporary reprieve” from her scheduled execution in relation to alleged human trafficking. 

But last November, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said  Manila and Jakarta reached an agreement to transfer Veloso to the Philippines, thanking new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his government for their goodwill. 

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

In tears, Veloso thanked God as well as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that she was finally able to return home.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat…sa Pilipinas,” Veloso said. ...Maraming salamat kay President Prabowo...kay Pangulong Marcos," she told the media before leaving Indonesia.

"This is my new life which I'll start again in the Philippines," she added, speaking in Bahasa, the main language of Indonesia.

"I have been in Indonesia for almost 15 years, I was not able to speak Indonesian back then but now I can... I am so happy today but also sad," she said.

At the end of her statement, Veloso sang some parts of Indonesia's national anthem and made a heart shape with her hands before saying goodbye.

Clemency

Veloso is hoping that she can go home to her family and that she will be given clemency in the Philippines.

“Gusto ko na makalaya ako… Clemency... mapawalang sala. Kasi wala akong kasalanan,” she added in an interview before departing Indonesia.. 

(I want to be freed... Clemency... be found found without guilt. I am innocent.)

Veloso will be brought directly to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City for a five-day quarantine. 

But even after the quarantine, the Bureau of Corrections said Veloso would still have to stay at the correctional facility for 50 days based on its guidelines.

Malacanang has yet to comment on what could happen to Veloso's status upon her return to the country.  

“Nothing to say yet on what may happen. The priority of PBBM is to have Veloso repatriated without delay,” said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Veloso's case caused an outcry in the Philippines. She was spared execution in 2015 at the last moment after Philippine officials asked Joko Widodo, then Indonesia's president, to let her testify against members of a human- and drug-smuggling ring.

According to the Department of Justice, her return will pave the way for the filing of charges against her alleged recruiters.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also welcomed Veloso’s return so she could be with her family during the holiday season.

"Let me take this opportunity to extend the PH government's warmest appreciation for this act of compassion displayed by our international partner, the Indonesian government. Your act of mercy speaks volumes," he said.

The two governments signed an agreement for Veloso's transfer earlier this month, including that Manila respects the court's sentencing of Veloso and her status as a prisoner in Indonesia.

The Philippines said Veloso would serve her remaining sentence in her home country, with any decision on clemency dependent on Marcos.

Indonesia said it would respect any decision made by the Philippines, including if Veloso was given clemency.

Jakarta said Veloso will be banned from entering Indonesia again.

On Sunday, the five remaining members of the "Bali Nine" drug ring were repatriated to Australia from Indonesia. 

Long journey

Edre Olalia, one of Veloso's lawyers, said her homecoming deserves a "warm welcome" following a "long journey."

"Your coming back home means all the prayers, campaigns, vigils, pleadings, negotiations, and the sweat and tears have formed into a cocoon that in time will metamorphose to fly you to full freedom that you have longed for and deserve," Olalia said.

"We jumped in and travelled with you as the search for truth and justice beckoned us to be by your side all these years. The hope for a clement time is on the horizon at dawn's breaking," he added.—with reports from Joahna Lei Casilao and Reuters/LDF, GMA Integrated News