Pangilinan urges crackdown on traffickers after Veloso pardon
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday called for a crackdown on illegal recruiters, human traffickers, and drug syndicates after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s granted absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso.
According to the senator, Veloso’s case underscored the risks faced by Filipinos who leave the country to seek employment abroad.
“As we celebrate Mary Jane’s freedom, let us continue to hold illegal recruiters, human traffickers, and drug syndicates accountable for exploiting the dreams and vulnerabilities of our fellow countrymen who are overseas Filipino workers,” Pangilinan said in a press release.
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READ: Marcos grants Mary Jane Veloso absolute pardon
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Pangilinan’s statement came after Marcos confirmed Friday that he had signed Veloso’s absolute pardon.
Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in April 2010 after authorities found more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase.
She maintained that she was unaware of the drugs and said the luggage had been given to her by her alleged recruiters. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death later that year.
Her execution was halted in April 2015 after her alleged recruiters surrendered to Philippine authorities.
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Following years of negotiations, Veloso was transferred to the Philippines in December 2024 and testified in the Philippine case against her alleged recruiters in June 2026.
Meanwhile, Pangilinan, who welcomed the recent development, said the long-awaited reprieve would finally give the former overseas worker and her family a chance to gain back the years lost to her nearly 16-year ordeal.
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“After a long period of separation, Mary Jane and her family will gradually have the opportunity to reclaim the time they lost and start anew the life they have long prayed for,” he added. /das
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