MANILA, PHILIPPINES — An international group of lawyers has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant clemency to Mary Jane Veloso, a convicted drug courier recently repatriated to the Philippines after over a decade in an Indonesian prison.
The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) praised the government’s efforts to transfer Veloso back to the Philippines, describing her case as emblematic of the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly women from impoverished backgrounds.
The IADL argued that Veloso, a victim of human trafficking, has endured enough hardship and called for immediate presidential action.
A Call for Compassion
“Mary Jane Veloso has suffered long enough,” the IADL said in a statement on Tuesday. “Clemency is a presidential prerogative that can be granted on humanitarian grounds without the need for prolonged administrative and legal processes. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The group urged Marcos to issue an absolute pardon, especially during the holiday season, which they described as the “Season of Peace.”
Comparisons to Other Cases
The IADL highlighted Veloso’s case alongside similar instances of foreign prisoners repatriated from Indonesia, such as five Australians from the infamous Bali 9. These individuals, transferred to their home country, were later released from prison by the Australian government.
The organization also emphasized that Veloso’s transfer could set a precedent for addressing the plight of 59 other Filipinos currently on death row in various countries. The group called on host nations to follow Indonesia’s example and allow the repatriation of these individuals.
Veloso’s Case Timeline
Veloso was arrested in 2010 at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for carrying over 2.6 kilograms of heroin. Sentenced to death, her execution was postponed in 2015 after Philippine officials requested that she testify against a human and drug-smuggling syndicate operating in the Philippines.
After nearly 15 years in detention and extensive diplomatic negotiations, Veloso was returned to Manila on December 18, 2024. Upon her arrival, she was transferred directly to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City to serve her sentence, with the death penalty excluded as it is prohibited under Philippine law.
Government’s Position
When asked about the possibility of granting clemency, President Marcos stated that legal experts would need to thoroughly evaluate Veloso’s case to determine its suitability for such an action.
The IADL, however, stressed the urgency of their plea, joining voices from human rights advocates and grassroots organizations in demanding Veloso’s unconditional release.
