PH officials now in Indonesia for Mary Jane Veloso’s turnover

Filipina inmate on death row in Indonesia Mary Jane Veloso waves to journalists at the Yogyakarta Class IIB Women’s Correctional Institution in Wonosari, Yogyakarta, on December 15, 2024, before her transfer to Jakarta after Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreement last week to repatriate her. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Several Philippine government officials are now in Indonesia ahead of the turnover of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina inmate on death row in Indonesia who spent 15 years in prison for drug trafficking.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said he arrived in Indonesia on the evening of December 16.

“I arrived with a couple of DFA officials. We will be meeting with National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Corrections officials who are also in Indonesia,” said De Vega.

“Tonight is the turnover,” he added.

READ: Mary Jane Veloso says ‘miracle’ repatriation God’s answer to prayer

The DFA, as quoted by  Press Secretary Cesar Chavez, earlier confirmed that Veloso is set to arrive in the Philippines on Wednesday, December 18 at around 6 a.m.

Veloso’s estimated time of departure in Indonesia is 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday.

In 2010, Veloso was apprehended at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin.

READ: Timeline: The case of Mary Jane Veloso

Veloso maintained she was unaware of the contents of her luggage as it was only given by her recruiters identified as Julius Lacanilao and Maria Cristina Sergio.