Mary Jane Veloso's Imminent Repatriation: A Diplomatic Resolution

The Philippines and Indonesia have agreed on repatriation procedures for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino woman sentenced to death for drug trafficking. The agreement could see Veloso return home before Christmas, with Indonesia respecting future Philippines decisions regarding her clemency.

On Friday, it was announced that the Philippines has agreed to the repatriation procedures proposed by Jakarta for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino sentenced to death for drug trafficking. Indonesia's senior minister for law and human rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, confirmed the development.

Yusril stated that he and his Philippine counterpart would formalize the agreement later in the day. There is optimism that Veloso, arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 with 2.6 kg of heroin, could return home before Christmas following last month's decision by Indonesia to repatriate her.

Indonesia has committed to respecting any decisions the Philippines may make post-repatriation, including granting clemency to Veloso, who has remained a prisoner in Indonesia since her last-minute reprieve from execution in 2015.

(With inputs from agencies.)