MANILA – Migrante International welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to grant absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, calling her freedom a “historic victory” for the global movement that campaigned for her release.

“We celebrate this is as a historic victory for the global people’s movement that has long fought for freedom and justice for Mary Jane as a victim of human trafficking,” Migrante said in a statement.

The migrant rights group said its campaign for Veloso began with efforts to prevent her execution in 2015 and continued with calls for her immediate and unconditional release.

It said the campaign drew support from people’s and migrant organizations, interfaith leaders, human rights groups, lawyers, elected officials, parliamentarians, and individuals in the Philippines and abroad.

“Mary Jane’s long awaited freedom is a testament to the power of the people’s collective action,” the group said, citing years of vigils, rallies, protest actions, prayers, petition drives, letter and phone campaigns, forums, and lobbying efforts.

Migrante also credited Veloso’s parents and family for continuing to pursue justice for her despite the challenges they faced.

The group, however, said Veloso’s freedom was “long overdue” and criticized the Marcos administration for what it described as prolonging her detention in the Philippines for one year and nine months without charges being filed against her in Philippine courts.

“While he ultimately heeded the relentless call of the people to free Mary Jane, let us not forget that Marcos has committed a grave injustice by prolonging her detention in Philippine prison for one year and nine months, when no charges have been brought against her in Philippine courts,” Migrante said.

It called for continued accountability for government officials and greater protection for migrant workers who are victims of human trafficking, unjust detention, and criminalization.

“Our campaign does not end here,” the group said, adding that Veloso’s case should inspire continued efforts to protect migrant workers and advance their economic, social, and political rights.

Marcos confirmed on Friday that he had signed the papers granting Veloso an absolute pardon.

“Pinirmahan ko na,” Marcos told reporters in Samar. (I’ve signed it already.)

The confirmation came two days after Bataan 2nd District Rep. and House Appropriations Committee Senior Vice Chair Albert Garcia said Marcos was “seriously considering” granting Veloso an absolute pardon on humanitarian grounds.

“The Office of the President is seriously considering to grant absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso on humanitarian grounds in support of the government’s commitment to protecting Filipino Migrant workers,” Garcia said during the House plenary deliberations on the proposed 2027 General Appropriations Bill.

Veloso was detained in Indonesia for more than a decade after being convicted of drug trafficking. She was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her suitcase and was sentenced to death.

She was later granted a last-minute reprieve after the Philippine government informed Indonesian authorities that her alleged recruiters had surrendered.

Veloso was transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong after the Philippine government secured her return and was officially turned over to the Bureau of Corrections on Dec. 18, 2024.

In September 2022, Marcos discussed Veloso’s case with then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his first state visit to Indonesia. More than two years later, Marcos announced that Veloso would be repatriated to the Philippines.