MANILA (UPDATED) — Filipina death row convict Mary Jane Veloso is returning to the Philippines before Christmas after 14 years of imprisonment in Indonesia, an Indonesian official said Friday.

Indonesian Minister for Human Rights and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that President Prabowo Subianto himself advised to have Veloso transferred to her country just in time for holidays.

"That is (a directive) of President Prabowo. I met him two days ago during the cabinet session in the palace, and Mr. Prabowo asked me 'How about Mary Jane?'  He remembered the name," he said.

"He said to me that 'Maybe you can transfer to the Philippines before Christmas. It's a good news for the Filipino people," Mahendra added.

The Indonesian official also emphasized that they are not asking for anything in exchange for Veloso's transfer.

"Until now nothing," he noted. "We voluntarily fulfill that petition from the Philippine government."

Mahendra described the progress on Veloso's case as "wonderful" after she had been on death row for over a decade already. 

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He said past administrations may have struggled to decide on Veloso's case due to "lack of law and legal basis" to return her back to her home country.

"It's wonderful right? This was already discussed for more than 10 years, finally we can settle this method only around 2 months. President Prabowo is very fast to take decision," he said.

Mahendra stated that through continued negotiations between the Indonesian and Philippine government, a practical arrangement for Veloso's return was signed Friday afternoon as they met with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

With Subianto's approval, he said Veloso could be sent home "anytime" before Christmas.

PRACTICAL AGREEMENT

Veloso is coming home after the signing of the “practical agreement” between Indonesian and Philippine government officials, the Department of Justice said. 

“We would like to announce na officially, Mary Jane Veloso is coming home,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said.

The DOJ, however, refused to divulge the specific content of the agreement.

“As to the contents and substance of the practical agreements, we will wait for the President to inform us of the contents and substance of the practical agreement,” Clavano said.

Celia Veloso, the Filipina migrant's mother, recently expressed wish to have her daughter spend the Christmas with their family. 

"Ang panawagan ko sa gobyerno natin na sana ibigay na ng ating Presidente ang clemency niya at makasama namin sa Pasko si Mary Jane," she said during a Bonifacio Day protest.

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Celia, along with various concerned sectors, also renewed calls for her Mary Jane's clemency.

Lawyer calls for Mary Jane Veloso repatriation before Christmas

The Indonesian government, which seeks to return its foreign prisoners by the end of 2024, said it would respect any decision made by the Marcos administration after Veloso returned home, including granting her clemency.

Veloso would also be barred from coming back to Indonesia.

The Filipina death row convict was arrested in 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. 

She was supposed to be executed in 2015 until the last-minute arrest of her recruiter, who allegedly stashed the illegal drugs in her bags without her knowledge. - with reports from Wendy Palomo, ABS-CBN News

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