Former death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso has urged fellow Filipinos who plan to work abroad to follow legal procedures and avoid falling victim to illegal recruitment, saying she hopes others can learn from her experience.
Veloso made the appeal following her release and the grant of an absolute pardon by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying she hopes no other Filipino will experience what she went through.
“Sa ating mga kababayan na gusto pa rin po mag-abroad. Wala po masama na mangarap. Wala po masama na gusto natin maiahon ang ating mga pamilya sa hirap,” Veloso said during a press conference at Department of Justice.
“Pero kung ako po, mabuti po duman tayo sa ligal na paraan. Huwag po natin hayaan na maingganyo po tayo dahil po meron pre-visa. Na kesyo may-pre-visa, madaling nang mahanap ng trabaho,” she said.
“Kaya kung ako po, gusto po na dumaan po tayo sa tamang proseso. Meron na po tayo,” she added.
Veloso also urged Filipinos to seek guidance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to verify employment opportunities before leaving the country.
“Meron po tayong DMW na siyang magbibigay po ng instruction para po malaman natin na talagang meron po trabaho. Yung totoong lugar na pupuntahan natin para hindi po tayo mapahamak,” Veloso said.
Veloso also addressed the criticism and judgment she has received from some people following her release and the grant of absolute pardon.
Despite the comments, Veloso said she remains focused on what she knows to be true and respects the right of others to express their opinions.
