A party-list lawmaker renewed calls for the immediate and full clemency of Mary Jane Veloso, who arrived in the Philippines from Indonesia early Wednesday morning, and later transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
“Mary Jane Veloso is a victim, hindi siya kriminal (she is not a criminal). She is a victim of human trafficking and the government’s labor export policy that continues to push our women to work abroad despite the risks,” House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Party-list Rep. Brosas said.
Brosas said Veloso’s case highlights the persistent vulnerabilities faced by Filipino women migrant workers, who fall prey to trafficking syndicates due to extreme poverty and lack of decent job opportunities in the country.
“Mary Jane and her family have been suffering for fourteen years. The Indonesian government has already shown compassion by temporarily releasing her. Now is the time for the Philippine government to take decisive action and grant her full clemency,” Brosas stated.
“We call on President Marcos Jr. to immediately act on Mary Jane’s case. Her continued detention is a grave injustice to a woman who was merely trying to provide for her family but ended up being exploited by trafficking syndicates,” she added.
Brosas vowed to continue supporting Mary Jane Veloso’s fight for justice and freedom, while pushing for stronger measures to protect women migrant workers from trafficking and exploitation.
Gabriela renews call to grant Mary Jane Veloso full clemency
