The family of Mary Jane Veloso has made a heartfelt appeal to Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, urging him to grant her freedom from death row. During a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang, Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother, expressed the family’s longing to be reunited with her. “Her children are waiting for her release,” Celia stated, hoping that President Marcos would discuss her daughter’s case with President Widodo, believing that he could make a difference.
In a letter personally delivered to the palace by a lawyer representing the family, Celia pleaded with President Widodo to help free her daughter, who has been unjustly suffering for fourteen years. As Mary Jane celebrated her 39th birthday, her mother expressed her hope that she would finally be released. The family also sent a separate letter to President Marcos, emphasizing that he is their only hope in this desperate situation.
Mary Jane’s supporters maintain that she traveled to Indonesia for a job as a maid, only to be deceived by an international drug syndicate into unknowingly carrying heroin. However, during the meeting between President Marcos and President Widodo, there was no mention of Mary Jane’s case in their prepared remarks to the media. It remains uncertain whether her case was discussed during their talks or if President Widodo received the letter.
President Widodo is set to leave office in October, having reached the end of his two-term limit. In light of this, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo recently renewed the appeal for clemency during a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi. This is not the first time that the Philippines has sought clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, as Secretary Manalo previously made an appeal in 2022. Additionally, President Marcos mentioned Mary Jane’s case to President Widodo during the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia last year.
In Manila, representatives from the Makabayan Bloc, the National Union of People’s Lawyers, and other advocacy groups organized a rally in support of Mary Jane Veloso. Joanna Concepcion, the Chairman of Migrante-International, emphasized the importance of the appeal for Mary Jane’s freedom coming directly from the President. She expressed hope that the meeting between President Marcos and President Widodo would provide an opportunity for the President to directly appeal to President Widodo.
The outcome of this appeal for clemency remains uncertain, as Mary Jane Veloso’s fate hangs in the balance. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a just resolution to this case that has garnered attention and support from around the world. As the family of Mary Jane Veloso continues to fight for her freedom, their plea serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and compassion in the face of adversity.
Source: The Manila Times
