‘Free Mary Jane’ — family’s birthday wish

(Photo courtesy of Migrante International)
(Photo courtesy of Migrante International)

“Our only wish is for the case against her recruiters in Baloc trial court to proceed faster, and for her to go home this 2016.”

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – As Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on deathrow in Indonesia, celebrates her 31st birthday today, Jan. 10, her loved ones back here have no other wish but for her to be freed and be reunited with them.

“Our only wish is for the case against her recruiters in Baloc trial court to proceed faster, and for her to go home this 2016,” Maritess Veloso-Laurente, Mary Jane’s sister, told Bulatlat.com.

At 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Jan 11, Mary Jane’s parents Cesar and Celia and her two children will fly to Indonesia. They will visit her in the Yogyakarta prison on Jan. 12.

Mary Jane’s execution was stayed at dawn of April 29, 2015 to give way to the proceedings against her accused recruiters, Maria Kristina Sergio and live-in partner Julius Lacanilao.

Last week, some news reports said that Mary Jane would be among those executed this year. But the Department of Foreign Affairs, both in a meeting with the Veloso family and in their public pronouncements, has refuted the reports. Still, migrant rights group Migrante International has called on the public to remain vigilant.

(Photo courtesy of Migrante International)
(Photo courtesy of Migrante International)

This morning, a mass was held in their hometown, in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija which was attended by the Veloso family and their supporters. This was followed by a simple salo-salo (gathering).

Laurente said their family continues to pray that Mary Jane remain strong, as they face stumbling blocks to finally free her.

She added, “We will never quit. We will never stop until she is reunited with us. We will never lose hope as we always ask God’s help and guidance like her. We love her three times more than she loves us.” (https://www.bulatlat.com)

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