DFA: Veloso transfer a win for diplomacy, good PH-ID ties

Photo: Deputi Koordinator Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan Kemenko Kumhan Imipas

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The return of Mary Jane Veloso to the country is a triumph for diplomacy and a reflection of the good relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday night.

At a press conference ahead of her flight to the Philippines, DFA Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega thanked the Indonesian government and assured that Manila will abide by the “practical arrangement” reached on Veloso’s case.

“The return or transfer of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines is a win for diplomacy, for good relations between the Philippines and Indonesia,” he said.

“With (regard) the practical arrangement that we signed last week, we will comply — the Philippines is known to be championing the rule of law. So, to the people of Indonesia, you are true friends of the Philippines, we will always appreciate this kindness,” he added.

Veloso thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as well as all those who facilitated her transfer to Manila after facing death penalty in the Southeast Asian state since 2010.

Upon her arrival in the Philippines on Wednesday morning, she will be brought to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction earlier said Jakarta would approve her transfer to the Philippines once its conditions are met, including having Veloso serve the remainder of her sentence.

Upon her transfer, the ministry said the decision on whether to grant remission or pardon would then rest with the head of state.

Veloso was jailed in 2010 and was sentenced to death in the same year after 2.6 kilograms of heroin was found in her suitcase.

She was given a last-minute reprieve in April 2015 when Manila informed Jakarta that her recruiters surrendered.

At that time, eight other drug convicts — seven foreigners and one Indonesian — were executed by firing squad.