Mary Jane to Aquino, Binay: Save me from death

MANILA, Philippines – “[U]maasa po ako na makakamit ko po ang katarungan sa nangyari sa akin, nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga kababayan natin na handang tumulong.”

(I am still praying that I will attain justice. I am also thankful to all Filipinos who are always ready to help their fellow countrymen)

These were Mary Jane Veloso’s parting words in the handwritten letter she wrote for President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, which she handed over to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel on Saturday, April 25, 2015.

During the her family’s visit in Nusa Kambangan Island, Veloso handed over 4 handwritten letters, one each for the following: President Aquino and Vice President Binay, Filipino women, Filipino youth, and those responsible for what happened to her.

Veloso is the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is facing the death penalty in Indonesia for smuggling illegal drugs. She claims she was only tricked into committing the crime. (READ: The story of Mary Jane Veloso, in her own words)

In her letter addressed to Binay, she reiterated her innocence – that she is not a criminal, but a victim of human trafficking. She added that only Aquino and Binay can help her.

“Kahit na po mahirap lang ang buhay namin at gusto kong mabago ang aming buhay, hinding-hindi ko po magagawa ang ibinibintang sa akin,” she said in her letter.

(Even though we are poor and I want to change our life, I cannot possibly do what they have been accusing me of)

Veloso was told about her execution date on Saturday, in the presence of Philippine embassy officials, just hours after a reunion with her family. She is scheduled to face the firing squad on Tuesday, April 28.

In the letters addressed to the Philippines’ top officials, she remained optimistic the Philippines’ two top leaders will be able to help prove her innocence and save her life.

“Vice President Binay, kayo lang po ang makakatulong sa akin, hawak niyo po at ng ating Pangulong Pilipinas NInoy Aquino ang kaligtasan ng aking buhay,” she said

(Vice President Binay, only you can help me. You and President Aquino hold the key to saving my life.) 

She added that she knows that Aquino, as the “father” of the country, is continuing his efforts to help save her from the death penalty. 

Here’s Veloso’s letter to Aquino and Binay:

Below is Veloso’s letter translated into English:

To Vice President Jejomar Binay,

I am Mary Jane Veloso and I am sincerely asking for your help that you save me from death penalty. I have two sons and they need a mother who will take care and guide them as they grow older. 

Vice President, only you can help me. Both you and President Benigno Aquio III hold the key in proving my innocennce and saving my life. Vice President, I am innocent and I cannot possibly be guilty of the bad things they have been accusing me of – especially the accusation that I smuggled illegal drugs in a country I have never visited before. 

Even though we are poor and I want to change our life, I am not guilty of the things they have charged against me. I was raised by my parents as God-fearing. I swear before God that I am innocent and that I am only a victim of human trafficking. While many doesn’t believe me, I am confident that God is aware that I am telling nothing but the truth. 

Vice President, as the second father of our country, I plead to you that you save my children from danger and other innocent individuals who have been wrongly accused. 

I believe that you will not forsake me, Vice President. I would also like to thank everyone who has helped me. I would also like to thank President Benigno Aquino III, the father of our country, for continuously looking for ways to help me. 

With this, I end my letter. I am hopeful that we will still attain justice. I am also thankful to my fellow countrymen, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy and Indonesian Embassy for looking into my case. I would also like to thank the lawyers who handled my case and to other non-Filipinos who helped in proving my innocence.

God bless us. 

Respectfully, 

Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso

– With a report from Raisa Serafica/Rappler.com