The groups condemned the slow-moving justice system, and Veloso’s continued detention in the country, despite her recognized status as a victim of human trafficking.

By Richardson TuboBulatlat.com

MANILA – After 11 years of stalled litigation, Mary Jane Veloso testified inside the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) as a victim of human trafficking in front of a judge on Friday, June 19.

Family, progressive and church groups gathered on Correctional Road, Mandaluyong City for the historic moment of Veloso’s first attestation since the filing of the three cases of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and criminal fraud against recruiters Kristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao.

The filed case in 2015 was a legal strategy to save Veloso from the death row for drug smuggling, officially protecting her as a witness in the regional trial court, said Migrante International Chairperson Joanna Concepcion.

“She is now ready to narrate how she was preyed upon by Kristina and Julius, tricked by the promise of a job as a domestic helper in Malaysia but was arrested in Indonesia and sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling,” Concepcion said in Filipino.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago said the attestation is a long-overdue opportunity for Veloso to obtain justice and hold her illegal recruiters accountable.

She said that Filipino migrant workers will remain at risk of abuse, exploitation and trafficking if the Philippines continues to have low wages and a lack of decent jobs.

“As long as the root of imperative migration remains unresolved, migrant Filipino workers will continue to be at risk,” Elago said in a press statement.

The family, progressives, and church groups gather on Correctional Road, Mandaluyong City, on June 19, 2026, for the historic moment of Veloso’s first attestation since the filing of the three cases of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and criminal fraud against recruiters. Photo by Richardson Tubo/Bulatlat

The groups condemned the slow-moving justice system, and Veloso’s continued detention in the country, despite her recognized status as a victim of human trafficking.

“It is unjust that she [Veloso] is still detained in her own country. While her family is already caged by poverty, she continues to be trapped by injustice in CIW,” Concepcion said.

In November 2025, lawyers and parents of Veloso petitioned the Supreme Court to resolve the motion for a writ of habeas corpus. Concepcion said that the said petition challenges her detention due to the lack of published files of the transfer agreement between Indonesia and Philippines.

Read: Lawyers, parents of Mary Jane Veloso urge SC to act on habeas corpus petition

However, back-and-forth petitions from the detainee and recruiters hampered the judicial process, stretching up to 11 years.

Protesters and family alike conducted a snake rally and noise barrage on June 19, urging Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Veloso unconditional freedom and clemency.

Caesar Veloso expressed his gratitude to his daughter’s supporters.

MJ’s mother Celia said, “I hope that I can still be with my daughter before I pass on. I long to take care of my daughter — to be with her. That is why I am asking for the President to please grant my daughter her freedom.” (AMU, RVO)

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