On November 14, Mary Jane Veloso’s family filed a petition for habeas corpus before the Supreme Court to present her before the court and challenge the legality of her detention.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers stated that Veloso’s continued imprisonment without a verdict against her is illegal.
“Veloso is a victim of human trafficking, and she does not deserve to suffer in prison. There is also no legal or political basis for her continued detention,” Migrante International chairperson Joanna Concepcion explained.
Veloso’s supporters also condemned the Marcos regime’s inaction on the people’s call for her clemency.
“The regime’s prolonging of Veloso’s detention is unjust and deliberate. The Indonesian government has long transferred the responsibility of securing her release, yet nothing has changed in her case,” Concepcion said.
In the country’s justice system, the poor are punished for standing up for themselves. Meanwhile, corrupt government officials are free to plunder the people’s funds, Concepcion added.
Veloso’s family and supporters vow to continue calling for her immediate release.
