Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Mary Jane Veloso poses for a photograph at Yogyakarta Womens Correctional Institution Class IIB in Wonosari, Yogyakarta on December 13, 2024. She says her planned transfer was a "miracle", in her first interview since Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement last week to repatriate her. Photo by Devi Rahman, AFP

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17712137206201734496556055173407558821612-13-2024 3-59-31 PM (1).webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mary Jane Veloso poses for a photograph at Yogyakarta Womens Correctional Institution Class IIB in Wonosari, Yogyakarta on December 13, 2024. She says her planned transfer was a &quot;miracle&quot;, in her first interview since Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement last week to repatriate her. Photo by Devi Rahman, AFP<br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The family and supporters of Mary Jane Veloso protested outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) Monday, calling for her freedom, adding that the former OFW remains “illegally detained” at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/18/timeline-mary-jane-veloso-s-decade-long-ordeal-from-indonesian-death-row-to-miracle-homecoming-1327">TIMELINE: Mary Jane Veloso&#x27;s decade-long ordeal from Indonesian death row to &#x27;miracle&#x27; homecoming</a></div><p>Edwin Dela Cruz of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyer stressed that Mary Jane has no pending case in the Philippines and there is no reason for her continued stay at the CIW.</p><p>In 2024, Mary Jane was transferred from her prison in Indonesia to Philippine jurisdiction, following her 14-year incarceration over drug trafficking charges.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/4/-parang-awa-niyo-na-veloso-family-supporters-renew-call-for-marcos-clemency-1539">&#x27;Parang awa niyo na&#x27;: Veloso family, supporters renew call for Marcos clemency</a></div><p>“Illegal detention, iyan po ang ginagawa ng Department of Justice, hindi sasabihing preventive custody, protective custody, eh walang kaso, ang bait na nga po ng pamilya, clemency ang hinihingi,” Dela Cruz said.</p><p>The Palace earlier said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is still in the process of studying Mary Jane’s appeal for clemency, if releasing her would violate any laws or agreements between the Philippine and Indonesian governments.</p><p>The parents of Mary Jane, Celia and Cesar, echoed their plea for clemency from the President.</p><p>“Hinihingi po namin ang clemency kay Mary Jane dahil mahabang panahon na po siyang nawalay sa amin na wala namang kasalanan, nasisira ang buhay ng mga anak niya na alam ko pag nakalaya si Mary Jane mababago ang buhay ng mga anak niya,” Celia Veloso said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/palace-studying-ph-indonesia-deal-before-deciding-on-veloso-s-clemency-appeal-1629">Palace studying PH-Indonesia deal before deciding on Veloso’s clemency appeal</a></div><p>“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 po na nagdusa ang aking anak, sana po ang panawagan naming ito ay matugunan na po ninyo,” Cesar Veloso added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S2nIlDkSxhM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bgC1rdTYuKc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyer stressed that Mary Jane Veloso has no pending case in the Philippines and there is no reason for her continued stay at the CIW.</p>

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyer stressed that Mary Jane Veloso has no pending case in the Philippines and there is no reason for her continued stay at the CIW.

Family, supporters renew call for release of 'illegally detained' Mary Jane Veloso

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Family, supporters renew call for release of 'illegally detained' Mary Jane Veloso

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 16, 2026 11:49 AM PHT

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Updated February 16, 2026 11:51 AM PHT

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