Mary Jane Veloso's Warning to Future OFWs: Don't Fall for Illegal Recruiters

Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who spent over a decade on death row in Indonesia, has a clear message for those dreaming of working abroad: always go through the legal process.

In a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Thursday, October 1, days after her release from prison, the 41-year-old former OFW urged Filipinos to be wary of illegal recruiters.

“Wala pong masama na mangarap. Wala pong masama na gusto natin maiahon ang ating mga pamilya sa hirap. Pero kung ako po, mabuti pong dumaan tayo sa legal na paraan,” she said in Filipino.

(There's nothing wrong with having a dream. There's nothing wrong with having the desire to lift your family out of poverty. But for me, it's better that we undergo the legal process.)

How Mary Jane Veloso Was Duped Into Becoming a Drug Mule

Veloso's cautionary tale began in 2010 when she was arrested in Indonesia. She was supposed to work as an OFW in Malaysia but was allegedly duped by her recruiters into becoming a drug mule. Indonesian airport authorities discovered 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden inside the lining of her suitcase.

“Huwag po natin hayaan na maengganyo po tayo dahil po mayroong free visa, na kesyo 'pag free visa madali lang makahanap ng trabaho, mabilis lang makaalis,” Veloso warned.

(Let's not be blinded by the offer of a free visa, thinking that would make it easy to find a job and quickly leave the country.)

Instead, she reminded Filipinos to turn to the Department of Migrant Workers, which can provide legitimate information and instructions on job offers in their target country.

“Sana po 'tong pag-share ko po ng aking kaso ay maging inspirasyon po sa iba na para po hindi na po sila matulad sa akin, para wala na pong pangalawang Mary Jane na makakaranas ng ganito,” Veloso said.

(I hope that in sharing my case, it would inspire others so that they wouldn't end up like me, so that there would be no second Mary Jane.)

From Death Row to Freedom: The Long Road Home

Indonesia granted Veloso a last-minute reprieve in 2015, allowing her to narrowly escape execution for drug trafficking. In December 2024, she was repatriated to the Philippines but remained detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

It took a year and nine months before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pardoned the Filipina. She walked free and returned to her home province of Nueva Ecija last Saturday, September 26.

What Was the Legal Basis for the Pardon?

Under local anti-human trafficking laws, the Philippines followed the principle of “non-punishment” for human trafficking victims, which applied to Veloso's case, according to Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty.

However, Ty stressed that this should not be seen as a signal for Filipinos to be deceived in other countries and think they will be saved because they are supposedly human trafficking victims.

“We are really happy that Mary Jane returned home, but this should not be seen as a reason for others to follow her path. Let us not forget that before we reached this day, Mary Jane went through so much. And it was not easy to bring her home and for her to be pardoned,” he said in Filipino.

The DOJ officially recommended to Marcos on May 12 that he exercise his constitutional authority to grant executive clemency to Veloso. But discussions on the pardon had already started in 2024 following her repatriation, said Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco.

Among the considerations were the continued enforcement of Veloso's sentence, the circumstances of her case, and the possible perspective of Indonesia. Marco said that after Veloso's transfer in 2024, Indonesia had already indicated it would respect Marcos' decision.

What's Next for Mary Jane Veloso?

A day after her release, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P30,000 as cash aid to Veloso, and another P20,000 to her parents. Her two sons will also receive P10,000 each.

According to the DSWD, Veloso expressed interest in setting up a sari-sari store when she was assessed for the agency's livelihood assistance program. But she also said on Thursday that she really wants capital to buy farmland since Nueva Ecija is an agricultural province, adding that she still lacks the skills to sell clothing or go into a retail business.

She also wants to finish junior high school through the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System, which she started while inside the CIW.

As she returns to ordinary life with her family, Veloso said she would still try to help others.

“Mayroon na po tayong social media din po ngayon. Kaya kahit nasa bahay, kung gusto mo talagang magbigay ng support sa kanila para hindi sila mapahamak, kaya naman po nating gawin 'yon,” she told reporters.

(We have social media now. Even if you're just staying at home, if you really want to give support to others so that they won't be put in danger, I think I can do that.)