Mary Jane Veloso maintained her innocence and urged Filipinos planning to work abroad to go through the proper legal process to avoid falling victim to illegal recruitment and trafficking.
Speaking at a press conference, Veloso said it remains important for her to clear her name because she insists she did not commit any wrongdoing.
“Kas(i) sobrang importante po yan para sa akin na malinis po ang pangalan ko dahil wala po akong kasalanan,” Veloso said.
She also reminded prospective overseas Filipino workers that there is nothing wrong with seeking a better life abroad, but they should be careful about offers that promise an easy way to get a job.
“Wala po masama na mangarap, wala po masama na gusto natin maia(h)on ang ating mga pamilya sa hirap,” she said.
Veloso urged those planning to work overseas to use legal channels and not be easily attracted by offers involving free visas or seemingly easy employment arrangements.
“Kung ako po, mabuti po dumaan tayo sa legal na paraan. Huwag po natin hayaan na maengganyo po tayo dahil meron free visa. Nakayos yung free visa, madali lang hahanap ng trabaho,” she said.
She also advised prospective OFWs to seek guidance from the Department of Migrant Workers to verify whether the job and destination being offered to them are legitimate.
“Meron naman po tayong DMW na siyang magbibigay po ng instruction para po malaman natin na talagang meron pong trabaho yung lugar na pupuntahan natin para hindi po tayo magpahamak,” Veloso said.
Veloso also thanked her family, particularly her parents, for standing by her and continuing to fight for her during her years in prison.
She said she would continue fighting for her family because she wants to be reunited with them.#