YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia – “The Indonesians are very good people.”

These were the words of Mary Jane Veloso’s mother, Celia, as she expressed gratitude to Indonesians for supporting her daughter and believing in her innocence, on Monday, January 11.

Mary Jane Veloso’s parents and two children are in Indonesia to visit the Filipina on death row. Mary Jane turned 31 on Sunday, January 10.

“I thank everyone from Indonesia, those who supported Mary Jane. If it weren’t for them, maybe we won’t even have anyone to visit,” Celia told Rappler in Filipino, the night before she was scheduled to visit her daughter.

She appealed for their continued support, asking them to keep backing her daughter until she was released from prison. She also had a message for Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“I ask President Widodo that he frees her so she can be with her children again,” she said.

Celia said it is clear her daughter is innocent, and that the only thing left to do is for Jokowi to release her.

While Celia said she is happy to be able to see her daughter, she said she “won’t be at peace until she is out of prison.”

Celia also praised the character of Indonesians, saying Mary Jane has many friends in prison, adding the inmates have treated her like a younger sister. She said they constantly feed her family as well when they visit Mary Jane.

“Indonesians are very nice. In the 6 years Mary Jane has been here, I know they are good. I just hope President Widodo sets her free.”

Set to be executed by firing squad in April 2015 for allegedly smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin into the predominantly Muslim country, Veloso made headlines after she was granted an 11th hour reprieve by the Indonesian government due to a last minute plea by President Benigno Aquino III as well as the surrender of her alleged recruiter, Maria Cristina Sergio. (READ: Saving Mary Jane, the face of OFWs)

The case of Sergio is still pending in the Philippines. – Rappler.com