Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino Overseas Worker (OFW) who has been on Indonesia’s death row since 2010, has returned to the Philippines.
In a report by RH Sherwin Alfaro, Veloso’s flight from Indonesia arrived in Manila at 5:50 a.m.
Veloso was accompanied on her flight by several government officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), including DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega.
Veloso’s relatives and supporters, carrying a large tarpaulin that read “Welcome home, Mary Jane Veloso,” gathered at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to welcome the returning Filipino OFW.
WATCH: Nakaabang na ang pamilya ni Mary Jane Veloso sa NAIA Terminal 3.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 17, 2024
Ngayong umaga inaasahang lalapag ang eroplanong sinasakyan ni Veloso mula Indonesia. | RH 15 @JecelleRicafort, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/651TLEMTLW
Waiting at the airport to greet her were her parents, Celia and Cesar Veloso, her siblings, her children, as well as other relatives, and her legal team.
Veloso's mother and eldest child stated they would give the Filipino OFW a tight embrace, as they are finally reunited after 14 years.
"Sobrang saya po, sobrang excited na makakauwi na po 'yung mama ko. Talagang hindi ko ma-explain 'yung pakiramdam po. Sobrang saya, sobrang excited po kaming buong pamilya," said Mary Jane Veloso's eldest child.
Furthermore, Celia Veloso, her mother, shared the same sentiment, stating that they would spend Christmas with Mary Jane and other family members at the detention facility where she will be taken.
"Sana po ay maibigay ng ating gobyerno ang clemency [kay Mary Jane]," said Celia Veloso.
Veloso was reportedly not handcuffed while being transported back to the Philippines. BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. stated that Veloso had no intention of escaping or causing harm to herself.
Catapang previously stated that Mary Jane Veloso would be taken directly to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) upon her arrival and would undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine.
At around 7:03 a.m., Veloso was officially brought to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong.
WATCH: Opisyal nang sa Pilipinas magpa-Pasko si Mary Jane Veloso.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 17, 2024
Naihatid sa Correctional Institution for Women sa Mandaluyong ang dating OFW death row prisoner matapos ang 14 taon sa Indonesia. | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/hekUlFxYo9
