A Philippine delegation headed by Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. has travelled to Indonesia to enforce the Oplan “Sundo-Nesia” or the repatriation of death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso back to the Philippines, the BuCor said on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
“As per directive of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the team members who left Manila last night (Dec. 16) aside from Catapang include CT/CSupt Ma Cecilia Villanueva, acting deputy director for Reformation and Director for Health and Welfare Services, C/Supt. Roger Boncales, acting superintendent of the New Bilibid Prison, and CT/Supt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad, acting superintendent of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), and officials from the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation,” the BuCor said.
The Palace confirmed on Monday evening the imminent return of Veloso who was recently transferred to Jakarta in preparation for her repatriation.
She is set to arrive in Manila on Dec. 18, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Once Veloso is back in the Philippines, Catapang said she will undergo a five-day quarantine at the CIW in Mandaluyong City.
As part of security measures, Catapang assured that “Mary Jane and her alleged illegal recruiters will be confined in separate facilities so they will not see each other.”
Citing the BuCor’s manual on admissions and confinement of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), the bureau explained that “newly committed PDL shall be mandatorily housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for not more than 60 days, comprising of a five-day quarantine period and a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification, after which, she shall be transferred to her assigned corrections facility based on the approved resolution of the RDC Initial Classification Board.”
During the five-day quarantine, the bureau said Veloso will be placed at a regular quarantine cell for medical observation; undergo medical and physical examination to determine any handicap, physical or mental illness; and interviewed by the CIW overseer to gather information to complete her registration form and list down the names of her relatives or authorized visitors.
After the quarantine, the bureau said “Veloso’s immediate family can visit her in time for Christmas, providing a rare moment of connection during this transitional period.”
It also said that for the next 55 days “Veloso shall undergo mandatory orientation on corrections facility rules and regulations, PDL rights and privileges, diagnostics procedure, PDL reformation programs, health services, time allowance and PDL grievance machinery.”
Veloso, who has been on death row in Indonesia following her conviction, was caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin upon her arrival at the Yogkarta airport in 2010.
On the other hand, her alleged illegal recruiters Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanlinao have been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020 following their conviction for large-scale illegal recruitment that stemmed from the complaints of their victims Lorna Valina, Ana Marie Gonzales and Jenalyn Paraiso.
Sergio and Lacanlinao are currently facing charges for qualified human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and estafa on complaints filed by Veloso’s family.
POSSIBLE PARDON
Repatriating Veloso is President Marcos’ priority, Malacañang said.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said this as a response to a question whether or not the President is considering pardoning Veloso.
“Nothing to say yet on what may happen. The priority of PBBM is to have Veloso repatriated without delay,” Bersamin said on Tuesday, Dec. 17. (Jeffrey Damicog & Betheena Unite)
