A SISTER of Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death by the Indonesian government for drug trafficking, arrived in the country on Friday following government efforts to rescue her from abusive employers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Maritess Veloso was accompanied home by labor attaché Hector Cruz, and was given financial and livelihood assistance to help her begin life anew here in the country.
Cacdac said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) learned of Maritess’ plight when he visited the Veloso family in Nueva Ecija on November 22, He said they during their phone conversation, Maritess informed him of her concerns and her desire to return home.
Cacdac said he advised Maritess to just “stay calm” and wait for officers of the Migrant Workers Office to arrange her repatriation.
He said Maritess’ coming home highlights the Philippine government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of distressed overseas Filipino workers. He gave the assurance justice will be given to abuse victims.
Maritess, in a recorded video message, thanked Cacdac for immediate action.
Her sister, Mary Jane, has been meted the death penalty in 2010 after Indonesian authorities found her in possession of heroin. She has maintained her innocence. She was granted temporary retrieve in 2015 but has since remained on death row.
Early this month, President Marcos Jr and the Indonesian government announced Veloso would be sent home to the Philippines to serve her jail term.
