Indonesian authorities’ decision to transfer death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso to Philippine custody has sparked mixed reactions among Filipino expatriates, particularly those from her home province of Catanduanes.
Nanette Balin Rigos, a teacher based in Indonesia for nearly two decades, lauded the move as a “gesture of goodwill” from President Prabowo’s administration. “Mary Jane has shown remarkable resilience throughout her ordeal and has embraced Indonesian culture, even learning the local language,” Rigos told reporters Monday.
While the transfer allows Veloso’s family easier access for visits, some expatriates note that her legal situation remains largely unchanged. “Indonesian law would still apply,” said Mary Antonette Raquid, a former Singapore-based worker now residing in the United States. “The Philippine government cannot grant her executive clemency due to international agreements.”
Veloso was arrested in 2010 at Yogyakarta Airport for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She maintains she was deceived into carrying the drugs.
Some observers, like Florida-based Zaldy Tejerero, raised concerns about the broader implications. “The government must consider who would benefit most from this situation: law-abiding citizens or those involved in illegal drug trades,” he said.
The transfer decision has reignited discussions about support for overseas workers and their families. “I hope that our government will support her family or provide ways to alleviate poverty,” Raquid added, highlighting the socioeconomic factors often underlying such cases.
The Indonesian government’s decision appears primarily humanitarian, according to Ola Mae Tuplano-Vargas, a California resident. “They just want her home so she can be closer to her family,” she said.
The date and details of Veloso’s transfer remain pending, according to Philippine authorities.
