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Veloso now under PH custody – PBBM

18 December 2024

Finally, she’s home.

Convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso is now back in the Philippines after languishing for 14 years in Indonesian death row.

In a statement, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made the announcement as he thanked the Indonesian government for their assistance on Veloso’s transfer to Philippine custody.

“We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Indonesian government and to all who have extended assistance for the welfare of Ms. Mary Jane Veloso,” the President said.

“We are pleased to announce that she was turned over into the custody of Philippine officials in the evening of 17 December,” he added.

According to the President, Veloso arrived in the country early Wednesday accompanied by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

The government welcomed the transfer of Veloso “which was made possible by our strong friendship and cooperation with the Indonesian government,” the President said.

He said the government will ensure Veloso’s safety and welfare as she continues to serve her sentence in the country. Veloso’s transfer to Philippine custody spared her from execution as the country does not allow the death penalty.

“We assure the Filipino people that Ms. Veloso’s safety and welfare is paramount and our agencies in the justice and law enforcement sector shall continue to ensure it, as our Indonesian counterparts have safeguarded it for so long,” the President said. | PND