SC asked to order Veloso release

MANILA, Philippines — The parents of detained former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order their daughter’s immediate release, saying that her continued detention without any arrest warrant or confinement order from a court is illegal.

In a 19-page petition filed yesterday, Veloso’s parents Celia and Cesar prayed to the SC to issue a writ of habeas corpus that would compel the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to immediately present Veloso before the high tribunal and explain the legality of her detention.

Veloso’s parents further prayed to the court to “order her immediate release from custody under the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, on the ground that her continued restraint is unlawful and without legal basis.”

Named as respondents in the petition were BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr., Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) chief superintendent Marjorie Ann Sanidad and Department of Justice acting Secretary Fredderick Vida.

Veloso was expatriated from Indonesia on Dec. 18, 2024 after being detained there since 2010 as she was caught in the airport in Yogyakarta carrying luggage containing 2.6 kilograms of heroin.

Veloso’s camp said she was a victim of illegal recruitment and that the luggage was given to her by her recruiters.

Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking by the Indonesian court in 2015 and was sentenced to death by firing squad. However, at the last minute, she was granted reprieve by then Indonesian president Joko Widodo.

Last December, Veloso arrived in the country by virtue of a repatriation agreement between the Philippine and Indonesian governments.

Upon her arrival, however, the BuCor took custody and brought her to CIW in Mandaluyong where she remains detained.

In their petition for habeas corpus, Veloso’s parents contended that absent any binding treaty between the Philippines and Indonesia regarding the repatriation of convicted person serving a sentence, there is no legal basis for her continued detention.

The Velosos also argued that their daughter does not have any pending criminal case in the Philippines, but on the contrary is the private complainant in the human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa charges against her recruiters.