The family and supporters of Mary Jane Veloso marked the nine-day dawn masses in preparation for Christmas at Baclaran Church on Monday, offering prayers for her safe return to the Philippines before the holidays.
Veloso’s family joined the Mass after their scheduled compassionate visit to Yogyakarta, Indonesia was canceled.
Indonesian authorities had transferred Mary Jane to Jakarta on Sunday to begin the process of her handover to Philippine custody.
“Though we will no longer be able to visit Mary Jane, we are thankful in praying now because her transfer here has begun.
We are also hoping that we can be together at home with Mary Jane this Christmas,” said Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother.
Mary Jane is expected to depart Jakarta, Indonesia, on a Cebu Pacific flight scheduled for December 18 at 1:00 AM (Manila time).
Supporters of Mary Jane, led by the Task Force to Save Mary Jane Veloso, included in their prayers a call for clemency and justice for Veloso and other victims of human trafficking.
“In and out of church, we will continue to pray and ceaselessly fight to end the suffering of Mary Jane Veloso and all victims of human trafficking,” said Josie Pingkihan, Deputy Secretary General of Migrante International.
The Task Force to Save Mary Jane Veloso and Migrante International announced a week-long vigil at Baclaran Church beginning Monday. The vigil aims to amplify calls for Veloso’s safe return and immediate clemency, culminating in a mobilization on International Migrants Day on Dec. 18.
Supporters unveiled banners urging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Mary Jane Veloso full clemency upon her return.
“As a victim of human trafficking, Mary Jane Veloso should not step foot inside a prison when she comes here to the Philippines. The support for her immediate granting of clemency and freedom is broad and broadening still,” Pingkihan added.
The week-long vigil will feature Christmas-themed cultural activities, discussions on human trafficking, and continuous prayers for Veloso’s safe return and her immediate and full clemency.
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina worker on death row in Indonesia, has long claimed innocence, asserting she was duped into trafficking drugs by a recruitment agency. Her case has since become a rallying cry for victims of human trafficking and migrant workers’ rights advocates.
