Whole again Mary Jane Veloso (center) is reunited with her sons (back right) and parents (left) after she arrived at the Correctional Institution for Women in Manila. Veloso spent nearly 15 years on Indonesia’s death row, She landed in Manila on 18 December where she was taken to a local prison following a repatriation deal years in the making.
Ted ALJIBE/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. disclosed that they are now in the process of computing the years Mary Jane Veloso stayed in an Indonesian jail to determine if she can be given parole.
Catapang said this as he awaits the result of the transcript of the documents for the release of Veloso provided to them by authorities in Indonesia.
“It’s 14 years in prison for Veloso and we are in the process of computing that incarceration along with her good conduct time allowance (GCTA) if she is already qualified for parole,” said Catapang.
He said they want to study the transcript because it is written in the Indonesian language, so it should be translated first. “When we flew to Indonesia, the document given to us was a Xerox copy, so we asked for an authenticated copy. Then, we will translate it,” said Catapang.
However, Catapang said they are expediting the matter, and maybe before the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ends, there will be a result.
To recall, convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso is now back in the Philippines after languishing for 14 years on Indonesian death row.
The president announced it last year, thanking the Indonesian government for their assistance with Veloso’s transfer to Philippine custody.
“We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Indonesian government and to all who have extended assistance for the welfare of Ms. Mary Jane Veloso,” the President said in an earlier statement.
Veloso was turned over into the custody of Philippine officials in the evening of 17 December and arrived in the country early Wednesday (18 December), accompanied by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
The president said the government welcomed the transfer of Veloso, “which was made possible by strong friendship and cooperation with the Indonesian government.”
Mr. Marcos also said the government would ensure Veloso’s safety and welfare as she continues to serve her sentence in the country. Veloso’s transfer to Philippine custody spared her from execution, as the country does not allow the death penalty.
Now, Veloso is in the custody of the Correctional Women’s Institute (CIW) in Mandaluyong, awaiting the result of the plea from several groups and her family for her to be granted parole.
