MANILA, Philippines – Convicted overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso, who was arrested fourteen years ago by Indonesian authorities on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to death, will soon be returning to the Philippines.

Veloso, now 39, was commuted to the death row in 2010 for trying to bring 2.6 kilograms of heroin into Indonesia.

She was born to a poor family in Nueva Ecija and grew up witnessing the plight of her poverty-stricken family. Veloso then decided to help them by working in Dubai as a domestic helper before flying to Indonesia in early 2010 for a job that apparently no longer existed.

In Kuala Lumpur, Veloso was asked by her godsister—identified as Christine or Cristina—to fly to Yogyakarta where she was given a new suitcase to use and US$500. However, ut was then in Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto airport that she was arrested because heroin wrapped in aluminum foil had apparently been hidden inside the lining of the suitcase she was carrying.

“Mary Jane’s story resonates with many: a mother trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life. While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances,” President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. pointed out.

“We had long been asking Indonesia for a favorable formula for (Veloso), including possible return to the Philippines. The new admin(istration) of Indonesia showed its willingness and spoke to our ambassador about the possibility of transfer,” he added.

Then, after over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with Indonesia, the Philippine government managed to delay Veloso's execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back home.

This was affirmed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, in a text message, emphasizing that Indonesia did not ask for anything in return in agreeing to sending Veloso home.

“Mary Jane Veloso is coming home. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill. This outcome is a reflection of the depth our nation’s partnership with Indonesia — united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion,” Marcos Jr. enthused.

Marcos and Prabowo have met at least twice—once when the Indonesian President visited Manila ahead of his inauguration and then again when Marcos flew to Indonesia to attend the new Indonesian head of state’s oath-taking in person.