MUNTINLUPA CITY, Metro Manila — With the Department of Justice (DoJ) up to decide where Mary Jane Veloso is to be detained on her return to the Philippines from Indonesia, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. disclosed that the repatriated death row drug convict may eventually be housed in the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City upon her arrival in January the coming new year.

In statement, Catapang reiterated it is still the justice department under secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla that will give the final say where Veloso would be detained once she is sent home by Indonesian authorities.

However, the CIW is already making preparations in case Veloso has to be processed there.
"May preparation na kami kasi we anticipate na doon siya dadalhin as announced by (justice assistant secretary) Mico Clavano, she will be processed sa CIW inasmuch as she was already sentenced," the BuCor official clarified.

"We'll just await the orders from higher ups. Basta ready kami, we are ready to accept her upon her arrival," he added.

Catapang also disclosed that apart from ensuring the safety in her place of detention, Veloso's health must likewise be assessed first when she arrives, and she has to be isolated for five days in a prescribed quarantine facility.

"After that, may two months na assessment. Then maybe we can make the recommendation kung saan siya ilalagay—kung maximum, minimum, or medium," he cited.

Meanwhile, justice undersecretary Raul Vasquez confirmed that Veloso will “most likely” be detained in the CIW but has to undergo physical checkup first to ensure that she is not suffering from any serious health condition or ailment.

“If she is, then she will be brought not to a corrections institute but to a hospital because that's the normal thing. Even under our present facilities, if there are persons deprived of liberty who are suffering from serious diseases, they are given furloughs and they are treated in hospitals,” Vasquez pointed out in a separate interview.

According to the DoJ official, their three attached agencies, namely the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and BuCor, are ready for her much anticipated return.

“As we speak, the Philippine Embassy led by the Consul General and the Indonesian Corrections and Immigration office are busy crafting the details for the transfer. Once the physical arrangements have been agreed upon, we, on the other hand, are ready to send our team in order to fetch her,” he announced.

Following a high-level meeting, the Indonesian government has indicated that it wants Veloso transferred to the Philippines by Christmas.