MANILA, Philippines – Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who has been on Indonesia’s death row for over a decade, is set to return to the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday, November 20.
It is a breakthrough in her case which has lasted long enough for her parents to age and her sons to grow taller than her. In April 2010, Veloso traveled to Indonesia to work as a domestic worker, but was stopped at the airport as authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in luggage given to her by her recruiter. (READ: The story of Mary Jane Veloso, in her own words)
She was found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to death just six months after her arrest. She was scheduled for execution in 2015, but was granted a reprieve by the Indonesian government to allow her to testify against her recruiters in a Philippine court.
Veloso’s supporters have long held that she was a victim of human trafficking.
What happens now? Will she be saved from death row? Rappler reporter Michelle Abad gives a recap of the case and its newest developments on Wednesday at 7 pm. – Rappler.com