Mary Jane Veloso reunites with family

Mary Jane Veloso on Wednesday morning finally reunited with her family in Manila almost 15 years after being separated from them.

Veloso, who has been transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City upon arriving in the Philippines, was first approached by her two sons who brought her flowers.

She later on met with the rest of her family, including her parents, Cesar and Celia.

Veloso arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via a Cebu Pacific commercial flight early Wednesday morning after more than a decade of detention in Indonesia for drug trafficking.

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

At the CIW, she is expected to be in quarantine in the first five days and undergo orientation and security evaluation for the next 55 days before being detained in a regular cell.

Clemency

Veloso’s camp has appealed to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos to grant her clemency following an agreement that would allow her to return to the Philippines.

In an interview before departing Indonesia Tuesday, Veloso expressed hope that she will be given clemency.

“Gusto ko na makalaya ako… Clemency... mapawalang sala. Kasi wala akong kasalanan,” she said.

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

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.

She was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in Indonesia in 2010.

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 will be given clemency.

Jakarta said Veloso will be banned from entering Indonesia again.

In an interview with the media before leaving Jakarta, Veloso thanked God as well as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Marcos 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 said.

"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.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News