Filipino drug convict on death row in Indonesia, Mary Jane Veloso, poses for a photograph at Yogyakarta Women’s Correctional Institution Class IIB in Wonosari, Yogyakarta on December 13, 2024.
DEVI RAHMAN / AFP
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) disclosed on Monday that Mary Jane Veloso, upon her return to the Philippines, will undergo a five-day quarantine protocol at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City as part of the protocol for newly committed persons deprived of liberty (PDL).
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., who is currently in Indonesia as head of Oplan “Sundo-Nesia,” the delegation accompanying Veloso back to the country, cited BuCor’s Manual on the admission and confinement of PDLs.
The manual states that Veloso, as a newly committed PDL, shall be mandatorily housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for no more than 60 days, consisting of a five-day quarantine period and a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification. Afterward, she will be transferred to her assigned corrections facility based on the approved resolution of the RDC Initial Classification Board.
During the five-day quarantine, Veloso will be placed in a regular Quarantine Cell for medical observation, where a medical and physical examination will be conducted to assess any physical or mental health conditions.
Veloso will also be interviewed by the Overseer of CIW to gather information for her registration form and to list the names of her relatives or authorized visitors.
After the five-day quarantine, which will end on 24 December, Veloso’s immediate family will be allowed to visit her in time for Christmas, providing a rare moment of connection during this transitional period, Catapang said.
Catapang added that for the next 55 days, Veloso will undergo mandatory orientation on corrections facility rules and regulations, PDL rights and privileges, diagnostic procedures, PDL reformation programs, health services, time allowances, and PDL grievance machinery.
The BuCor chief also assured the public and Veloso’s family that Mary Jane and her alleged illegal recruiter will be confined in separate facilities to prevent them from seeing each other.
As per the directive of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, the team that left Manila last night, in addition to Catapang, includes CT/CSupt Ma Cecilia Villanueva, Acting Deputy Director for Reformation and Director for Health and Welfare Services; C/Supt. Roger Boncales, Acting Supt. of New Bilibid Prison; and CT/Supt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad, Acting Supt. of CIW, along with officials from the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation.
