Philippines pardons drug mule after nearly 15 years on Indonesia’s death row

On September 25, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos pardoned Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino woman who had spent nearly 15 years on Indonesia's death row for drug trafficking. Veloso, 40, is anticipated to be released following the pardon as there are no further active cases against her, although Marcos did not disclose the exact date of her release.

The mother of two was apprehended and sentenced to death in 2010 after her suitcase was discovered containing 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin. Nine years later, Jakarta transferred her to Manila in 2024 under a "practical arrangement" for her repatriation, enabling her to complete her sentence in a Philippine prison. Marcos informed reporters during a visit to the town of Batac that he had signed her pardon the previous day.

His spokesperson earlier mentioned that Marcos was seriously contemplating an absolute pardon for Veloso. Veloso's legal representative informed her family about the news, with her mother, Celia Veloso, sharing the joyous reaction of her two sons, who expressed their happiness at being reunited with their mother. The Filipino woman, who had travelled to Indonesia in search of employment as a maid, had drawn significant outrage in the Philippines, where millions of its citizens seek better-paying work abroad.

Some argue that she was tricked by an international drug syndicate. In 2015, Indonesia granted her clemency following Philippine authorities' arrest of her alleged recruiter.