Philippine church leaders called for the protection of Mary Jane Veloso ahead of her June 19 testimony, saying her appearance in court could advance truth and accountability for victims of human trafficking.
In separate statements issued June 18, the Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and leaders of the United Methodist Church’s Baguio Episcopal Area expressed support for Veloso as she prepared to testify.
The UCCP bishops said Veloso’s story reflects the experiences of many migrant workers who have faced exploitation, abuse, and injustice.
“For many years, Mary Jane’s story has embodied the struggles of migrant workers, victims of human trafficking, and those who have endured injustice and exploitation,” the bishops said.
They described her testimony as “an important step in the pursuit of truth and accountability” and affirmed “her courage and her dignity as a beloved child of God.”
The bishops urged authorities to safeguard her rights and ensure she can testify freely and safely.
“We call upon all concerned authorities to ensure her safety, protect her rights, and provide an environment where she can testify freely and truthfully without fear, intimidation, harassment, or retaliation,” the prelates said.
They also called on churches, migrant organizations, human rights advocates, and supporters to accompany Veloso and her family through prayer, solidarity actions, and peaceful witness.
Linking her case to broader concerns about trafficking and labor exploitation, the bishops said: “As followers of Christ, we believe that God stands with the oppressed and hears the cries of those seeking justice.”
“We pray that truth may prevail, justice may be served, and healing may come to all who have suffered from human trafficking and exploitation,” they added.
The United Methodist Church’s Baguio Episcopal Area issued a similar statement, describing Veloso’s case as one marked by “widespread allegations of her being a victim of human trafficking and coercion.”
Church leaders said they recognized “the immense emotional, spiritual, and psychological toll that prolonged detention and the threat of execution have placed on Mary Jane, her loved ones, and all who advocate for her.”
They called for “the highest standards of justice, due process, and compassion” in addressing her case and urged the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia to continue pursuing a resolution that upholds the rule of law while recognizing the circumstances surrounding her situation.
“We support the ongoing diplomatic efforts and the call for clemency on humanitarian grounds,” the Methodist leaders said.
The Church leaders also widened the focus beyond Veloso’s case, pointing to the experiences of others affected by trafficking, poverty, and exploitation.
“We also pray for all individuals caught in cycles of poverty, exploitation, and injustice, and we recommit ourselves to building a world where human trafficking is eliminated and where every person is treated with mercy and dignity,” they said.
Veloso, a Filipino migrant worker who spent years on death row in Indonesia after being convicted of drug trafficking, has long maintained that she was unknowingly used by traffickers.
