AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION: FREE MARY JANE VELOSO!

Beloved siblings in Christ,

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.“
— Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)

With hearts anchored in compassion and justice, we call on all members, congregations, fellowships, and councils of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) to join a united action of faith and advocacy.

Let us write to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., appealing for the absolute pardon of Mary Jane Veloso, a victim-survivor of human trafficking who has suffered 15 long years in unjust incarceration.

Mary Jane was deceived, exploited, imprisoned, and silenced. But now, with the Philippine government having secured her repatriation from Indonesia, we have the chance to help finish the fight — to help her walk into freedom and dignity.

This is our moment to act. As a church who stands for life, justice, and mercy — we must be loud and clear:

Free Mary Jane. Let her chains fall, in truth and in law.
We encourage all UCCP members to:

📝 Write your own letter or use the prepared template below.

📧 Send it to: ogsuccp@gmail.com

✉️ Subject line: July 2025 Veloso letter barrage campaign
📅 Send your letter anytime this week, but the sooner the better.

🔻Template Letter to Copy, Customize, and Send:

[INSERT CHURCH OR COUNCIL LETTERHEAD]

[INSERT DATE]

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Malacañang Complex
J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel
1005 Manila, Philippines

Your Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.,

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who proclaims good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, and justice to the oppressed.

Joining the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and the Presbyterian Church (USA), that speak as one voice – we, [INSERT YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP NAME] are calling for the immediate and absolute pardon of Mary Jane Veloso, a survivor of human trafficking who has endured 15 years of unjust imprisonment.

The records and circumstances attest that Mary Jane was deceived into unknowingly becoming a drug mule in 2010. She was trafficked under the false promise of employment, exploited, convicted, and imprisoned. In 2024, after international advocacy and with your government’s diplomatic efforts, she was allowed to return to the Philippines – a long-awaited step toward justice. But let us be clear: she is still not free.

Now imprisoned in her own homeland, Mary Jane remains behind bars – even after the Indonesian government has left her fate to Philippine authorities, including the responsibility of granting her clemency. Her traffickers have been convicted in a similar case even while she is poised to testify soon against them.

We ask, how much longer must she suffer before mercy and justice meet in her name?

Mary Jane has suffered long enough. Justice delayed is justice denied. We, as people of faith, cannot be silent, while one of God’s daughters remains imprisoned after surviving exploitation. Her chains must fall – not in theory, but in truth.

Let her live freely. Let her heal with dignity. Let Mary Jane Veloso go free.

In faith and action,
[INSERT NAME, CHURCH, SIGNATURE, POSITION]

Let us be like the persistent widow in Luke 18 who cried for justice until it came. This is our prophetic work — to raise our voice and not stop until liberty is proclaimed.

May the Spirit empower us,

✊🏽 UCCP for Justice, UCCP for Mary Jane

🕊️ Let us pray, act, and speak — until she’s finally free.

#FreeMaryJaneVeloso
#UCCPForJustice
#LetHerGoHomeInFreedom

https://www.uccpchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-06-09_Joint_Statement_on_Global_Action_to_Free_Mary_Jane.pdf