Mary Jane Veloso’s kin appeals to Marcos for her release, clemency

The family of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who was convicted in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant her clemency. 

In a report in “24 Oras” on Monday, Mary Jane’s family and supporters went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and urged the government to release her from detention.

Her parents pointed out that she already suffered for a long time as she has been detained in Indonesia for more than a decade before she was moved to the Philippines in December 2024.

“Nananawagan po ako sa ating mahal na Pangulo na sana po ibigay na po ang clemency sa aking anak. Ako po ay matanda na, matagal naman na pong nagdusa ang aking anak,” said Cesar Veloso, Mary Jane’s father. 

(I am appealing to our beloved President to please grant clemency to my child. I am already old, and my daughter has already suffered for a long time.) 

“Umaasa po kami na makakauwi na po. Buong pamilya Veloso po, nakikiusap, nagmamakakaawa na ibigay mo na po ang kalayaan ni Mary Jane,” said Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother.

(We are hoping that she can finally come home. The entire Veloso family is pleading and begging, please give Mary Jane her freedom.) 

Mary Jane’s parents also urged Marcos to visit her in prison to personally see her situation.

In an open letter earlier this month, Mary Jane called on authorities to release her from prison and let her take care of her elderly parents and her children, as she lamented that they have been apart for 16 years. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News