MANILA — A send-off gathering was held Monday for jailed overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso’s family members who are set to fly to Indonesia on Tuesday to visit her in prison.
The event was attended by Veloso’s legal counsel, supporters of the OFW and church workers from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP).
Veloso’s father, Cesar, will be accompanied by his sons, Daniel and Darren, to Jakarta.
The Veloso’s prison visit will be on September 14 and 15.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, the family will be attending the Interfaith Mission for Solidarity and Service with Migrants, Refugees and Uprooted People that will be held from September 11 to 13. The event was organized by Indonesian Churches and migrant advocates.
During the send-off gathering, Migrante International spokesperson Arman Hernando called on the Duterte government to highlight Veloso’s case to show sincerity to combat human trafficking.
“This is our chance to point out that victims like Mary Jane deserves support from the government and must not be treated as a criminal,” he said in a statement.
Upon their return, the Velosos will start the Supreme Court legal battle for Mary Jane’s right to speak the truth.
Veloso was arrested in 2010 by Indonesian authorities for possession of 2.6 kilos of heroin found inside her luggage upon her arrival from Malaysia.
On May 31, 2011, the Supreme Court of Indonesia upheld the death sentence on Matry Jane by the Court of Appeals of Yogjakarta.
She was granted a reprieve based on the charges filed against her alleged illegal recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao.
Last week, the parents of Veloso filed a petition before the Supreme Court to secure their daughter’s deposition.