Philippines pardons drug courier jailed for 14 years in Indonesia

JAKARTA, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Philippine President Marcos Pardons Filipina Drug Mule After 15 Years on Indonesia’s Death Row

The pardon, announced by Marcos during a visit to the northern town of Batac on Friday, clears Veloso of all remaining charges, allowing her immediate release from custody. Her case had drawn international attention, with critics arguing she was a victim of human trafficking rather than a willing drug courier. The decision follows years of advocacy by her family, legal teams, and Filipino migrant workers’ groups, who had long campaigned for her freedom.

Veloso, now 40, was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in the suitcase she was carrying while traveling to work as a maid. An Indonesian court sentenced her to death, but her execution was repeatedly delayed amid diplomatic pressure from the Philippines. In 2015, Indonesia commuted her sentence to life imprisonment after Philippine authorities detained her suspected recruiter, a move that temporarily eased tensions.

However, Veloso remained in Indonesian custody until 2024, when Jakarta repatriated her to Manila under a "practical arrangement"—a bilateral deal allowing her to serve the rest of her sentence in a Philippine prison.

Marcos confirmed the pardon in an impromptu statement to reporters, declaring, "I’ll give you a scoop: I signed her pardon yesterday." His office had earlier signaled consideration for an absolute pardon, though the president’s direct announcement marked the final resolution. Veloso’s legal team had previously argued that her case was a product of human trafficking, with her claiming she was unaware of the drugs in her possession.

The Philippines has long faced criticism over its citizens falling victim to such schemes while working abroad, with millions of Filipinos employed overseas in sectors ranging from domestic work to healthcare.

The news brought immediate relief to Veloso’s family. Her mother, Celia Veloso, told AFP by phone from their hometown in northern Philippines that her grandchildren—Veloso’s two sons—expressed overwhelming joy upon learning of the pardon. "‘We will finally be able to be with mama,’ that’s what they told me," Celia recounted. The family had endured years of separation, with Veloso’s imprisonment sparking protests and petitions in the Philippines, where migrant workers’ rights remain a contentious issue.

The pardon’s timing coincides with broader regional efforts to address drug trafficking and migrant worker exploitation. Indonesia has executed dozens of foreign nationals for drug offenses in recent years, including Filipinos, under strict anti-narcotics laws. The Veloso case had become a symbolic battleground, with Manila repeatedly urging Jakarta to exercise clemency. The 2024 repatriation deal, though framed as a humanitarian gesture, had left Veloso’s legal status unresolved until Marcos’s intervention.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the pardon, but the move aligns with recent diplomatic thawing between the two nations. The Philippines, under Marcos, has sought to balance firm anti-drug policies with protection for its overseas workers, a vulnerable population numbering in the millions. Legal experts note that Veloso’s case highlights the risks faced by Filipina migrants, who often lack legal recourse in foreign jurisdictions.

With the pardon now official, Veloso’s next steps remain unclear, though her family and legal representatives are expected to coordinate her release from detention. The case’s resolution may also prompt renewed scrutiny of Indonesia’s drug laws, particularly their application to foreign nationals, as well as the Philippines’ efforts to safeguard its migrant workforce.

For now, the focus remains on Veloso’s reunion with her family, a long-awaited conclusion to a saga that has spanned continents and drawn global attention.