A migrant workers' group, Migrante International, on Wednesday pushed back against a recent statement from Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, advising that the request for clemency of Indonesia death row convict Mary Jane Veloso be directed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., according to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort.

In a statement, Migrante International said that Veloso’s family and supporters have already submitted multiple appeals to the President but have yet to receive a clear response.

“It is demeaning enough for Marcos Jr. to keep Mary Jane behind bars for being a victim of human trafficking–it is another cruelty to deny her the right to express gratitude to the public and appeal for freedom on humanitarian grounds,” the group said.

The group’s reaction came after Veloso posted an open letter on social media appealing for her freedom.

Migrante stressed that Veloso’s appeal was clearly expressed when she returned to the Philippines on December 18, 2024.

According to the group, her family also submitted a letter to Malacañang seeking clemency, accompanied by thousands of signatures supporting the petition.

They added that another petition was submitted on July 4, carrying more than 13,000 signatures. However, the only response they reportedly received was a vague statement that Veloso’s case was still under review.

Migrante emphasized that the "Marcos’ hollow promises to study Mary Jane’s case is not enough."

The group said what is needed is her "freedom and justice," including the immediate pursuit of cases against her alleged traffickers and a hearing on her habeas corpus petition without delay.

"We stand with Mary Jane Veloso in her aspiration to reunite in the free embrace of her parents and children while they still can," the statement reads.

Veloso is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong, which is under the supervision of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).