The Indonesian government, under newly-installed President Prabano Subianto) is studying the possibility of allowing the transfer to Philippine prison of death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso, who has been convicted of drug trafficking.

The Subianto administration has also indicated that it may allow Philippines to decide on a possible clemency on Veloso whom the Philippines considered as a victim of an international drug and human trafficking ring.

This is a major development in the Philippine government’s 14-year campaign to save the Filipina from the death sentence.

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Alagon Jamoralin has disclosed that Veloso’s status was among the topics discussed during her visit to Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction on Monday (Nov. 11).

She was informed by Indonesian Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra that the coordinating ministry is currently drafting policies for the transfer of foreign prisoners that will include Veloso. This move is in response to the request’s “from the inmate’s home country.”

“We have discussed this issue internally and also with President Prabowo. We are formulating a policy to resolve the issue of foreign prisoners in ourc country, both through bilateral negotiations and transfers of prisoner,” said Mahendra.

Under the proposal under study, Veloso will serve the remainder of her sentence in the Philippines.

“Indonesia respects the request from the Philippine government to consider the transfer of Mary Jane Veloso for the sake of law enforcement in the Philippines,” he said.


“However, this will be carried ouot while still recognizing our legal sovereignty and respecting the verdict that has been handed down by the Indonesian court,” he explained.

Scheduled to be executed by firing squad on April 29, 2015, Veloso won temporary clemency from the Indonesian government following an appeal by then President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino issued the lastminute appeal to the Indonesian government for a stay of the execution after Philippine investigators arrested alleged human trafficker Maria Kristina Sergio who could provide the proof that Veloso was an unwilling victim of international drug trafficker

Veloso was charged and convicted to death in 2010 for trying to smuggle into the Indonesian airport 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in the inner lining of her suitcase.

She was supposed to be executed in 2014 but then President Susilo Bambang Yudyohono ordered a moratorium o
However, under the leadership of new Indonesian President Joko Widodo, a 2015 review of Veloso’s case upheld her death conviction and eventual execution in the same year.

The young Bulacan native is detained at the Class IIB Yogyakara Women’s Prison in Rejosari Wonosari, Gunung Kidul regency.