Indonesia agrees to return Filipino death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso to Philippines

Mary Jane Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking and has been on death row in Indonesia for 14 years

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Filipino drug convict and death row prisoner Mary Jane Veloso pictured in 2015. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:31am, 20 Nov 2024Updated: 5:06pm, 20 Nov 2024

After 14 years on death row, Mary Jane Veloso is finally returning home to the Philippines, as Indonesia signals a more humane approach to foreign prisoners under President Prabowo Subianto.

It remains uncertain, however, whether the 39-year-old Filipino will be transferred to a Philippine prison or released upon her return.

Indonesian Law and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced on November 11 that the government was developing a new policy for the repatriation of foreign prisoners, including Veloso, responding to requests from their home countries.

“We are formulating a policy to resolve the issue of foreign prisoners,” he said, according to Indonesian news outlet Kompas, suggesting a willingness to engage in bilateral negotiations or prisoner transfers.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr confirmed that Veloso will be sent back to the Philippines.

“We managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back,” he said in a statement. “While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances.”