DOJ: Veloso’s return paves way for filing of charges vs recruiters

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (PHOTO FROM DOJ Facebook PAGE)

MANILA, Philippines — Mary Jane Veloso’s return to the country will “pave the way” for the filing of charges against her alleged recruiters, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday.

The DOJ made Veloso finally arrive in the country earlier the same day under a transfer agreement with Indonesia—where she was convicted and sentenced to death for drug trafficking.

“Veloso’s return will pave the way for the filing of charges against her alleged recruiters,” said the DOJ in a statement.

The DOJ added that Veloso will continue to serve her sentence in the Philippines under the transfer agreement.

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

 She was eventually sentenced to death but was spared from death row in 2015 after Philippine officials asked then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo to allow her to testify against members of a human and drug-smuggling syndicate in Manila.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla thanked the Indonesian government for allowing the transfer of Veloso with no conditions imposed.

Veloso arrived in the country Wednesday morning. Upon arrival, she was then escorted to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) and placed under its custody.

Malacañang previously said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has yet to decide whether or not Veloso will be granted executive clemency.