Bishop Alminaza, Caritas call for Mary Jane Veloso’s clemency

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and Caritas Philippines have joined advocacy groups in calling for clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, who is expected to return to the Philippines soon under a transfer of custody agreement with Indonesia.

Bishop Alminaza highlighted Veloso's 10-year incarceration and cited Pope Francis' messages on human trafficking to emphasize her case, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant immediate clemency.

Caritas Philippines noted that Veloso's return will benefit not only her but also her family who have endured much during this difficult journey.

The social advocacy group held a Mass with Veloso’s parents at the CBCP chapel in Intramuros on Monday night, celebrated by Bishop Alminaza to express gratitude for her impending homecoming and to pray for her clemency.

With her transfer back to the Philippines, Veloso will be presented as a state witness against her traffickers in an ongoing human trafficking trial.