Manila: Indonesia did not ask anything in exchange for the return of Mary Jane Veloso, but the Philippines will certainly remember this gesture, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In a Palace press briefing Wednesday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega stated that the Philippines and Indonesia will work together to finalize the agreement for Veloso’s transfer.

According to Philippines News Agency, De Vega emphasized that Veloso’s impending return to the Philippines reflects the strong ties between the two Southeast Asian countries. He noted that Indonesia has not requested any form of prisoner exchange or other concessions. De Vega also highlighted Indonesia’s recent assistance in the Alice Guo case as an example of their ongoing cooperation.

De Vega mentioned that the gesture signifies positive expectations under Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto and his relationship with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The two leaders have already met twice this year, first in
Manila during Prabowo’s visit as president-elect and then in Indonesia for his inauguration.

Mary Jane Veloso has been imprisoned since 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her luggage, leading to a death sentence that same year. She received a last-minute reprieve in April 2015 when Philippine authorities informed their Indonesian counterparts that her recruiters had surrendered. For over a decade, the Philippine government has made significant efforts to appeal her case.