MANILA – Drug trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso has appealed for her freedom in a handwritten open letter, saying she wants to finally be with her family after spending more than 16 years in prison in Indonesia and in the Philippines.

In the letter dated January 28, 2026, Veloso expressed gratitude to those who have supported her and her family since the start of her case. She said she may not know everyone personally but feels their concern and love, which she described as similar to that of a family.

Veloso said she continues to seek justice and freedom, adding that she believes her death sentence in Indonesia was prevented through God’s guidance and the help of those who stood by her. She recalled that her sentence was commuted and that she was eventually allowed to return to the Philippines on December 18, 2024.

She said her continued detention has left her confused and in pain, maintaining that she has committed no wrongdoing and has not harmed the country. Veloso noted that she remains hopeful and continues to pray that she will be allowed to live freely again for the sake of her family.

In the letter, Veloso spoke at length about her parents, whom she described as elderly and already struggling with age. She said they traveled for eight to 10 hours from Nueva Ecija just to visit her and still had to look for money for transportation and food to bring to her. She added that her parents endure physical exhaustion and emotional pain just to see her, despite their advancing age.

Veloso also said she has been separated from her children for more than 16 years and has not been able to witness their upbringing. She expressed her wish to care for her parents while they are still alive and to be present for her children.

“Nawa’y ipagkaloob na po sa akin ang pagkakataon na maalagaan ko ang aking mga magulang habang buhay pa sila, at lalong-lalo na ang aking mga anak na hindi ko man lang nasubaybayan ang kanilang paglaki,” she wrote.

She thanked those who continue to support her, saying their kindness gives her strength and hope. Veloso ended her letter by entrusting her fate and her family’s well-being to God.

Veloso was convicted by an Indonesian court of drug trafficking in 2010 and sentenced to death. Her sentence was commuted in 2015 following strong appeals from Philippine officials led by then-President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

She returned to the Philippines in December 2024 after talks between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Since then, she has been detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

The Marcos administration has received multiple petitions and appeals seeking clemency for Veloso, but no measure has been granted.

Supporters of Veloso and her family have also filed appeals urging the justice system to expedite her case against her alleged traffickers, as well as a habeas corpus petition questioning the legality of her continued detention in the Philippines.