Celia Veloso, the mother of Mary Jane Veloso, is speaking more calmly now.
Mixed reactions greeted her family’s return from Indonesia on May 1, after they received the good news that Mary Jane’s execution had been deferred. The mother proceeded to attend a Labor Day gathering and expressed her anger and disgust at the Philippine government for its inaction on her daughter’s case.
Immediately, the Veloso family seemed to lose the public sympathy they had enjoyed just the day before, when Filipinos were united in hoping that Mary Jane’s life would be spared. After Mrs. Veloso’s remarks at the rally, citizens on social media called her an ingrate; the sentiment was that she was a fool for saying what she did because her daughter was not yet completely out of trouble.
Others allege that militants had incited the beleaguered woman into saying those “ungrateful” words, even after top government officials did what they could to spare the migrant worker’s life. President Aquino did speak with his counterpart, Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
In the end, Mrs. Veloso apologized for her outburst and said she only acted that way because of the severe stress she had undergone in the past few months. She had perhaps been reminded that she should never antagonize the people who could do something to bolster her daughter’s case.
But only a person incapable of empathy will tag the old woman an ingrate. Imagine the past five years for her and her entire family. Even if she were mouthing unkind words, the knowledge of her extended ordeal – as a mother and grandmother – should have been enough to let her words pass.
The Philippine government has assured the Veloso family of its continued efforts, all in view of eventually proving that she was a mere trafficking victim and not part of any drug ring. Her alleged recruiter, Maria Cristina Sergio, is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. There are several others who have come forward to say they have similarly dealt with Sergio.
Apologies must be made for the apparent lack of urgency shown in the earlier stages of Mary Jane’s case. Apologies should be offered for the credit grabbing and the attempt to make it appear as though the temporary reprieve was the handiwork of one man. Finally, apologies should be made for the greater sin of not creating conditions good enough such that workers have to go out of the country and take insane risks just to earn money and provide for the family.
But there should be no apologies for the feeling of hurt, betrayal and neglect by those who expected their government to help them, but were left holding the bag.