Pemulangan Mary Jane, kata Bongbong, menjadi bukti hubungan persahabatan antara Indonesia dan Filipina, terutama dalam menjaga komitmen keadilan dan kasih sayang.
"This outcome is a reflection of the depth of our nation's partnership with Indonesia-united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion," tulisnya.
Bongbong tidak menampik Mary Jane bersalah berdasarkan hukum yang berlaku di Indonesia. Namun, kata Bongbong, Mary Jane tetaplah korban dari keadaan yang sangat sulit.
"Mary Jane's story resonates with many a mother trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life. While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances," katanya.
Sementara itu, Istana mengatakan Mary Jane akan melanjutkan sisa hukuman di Filipina. Pemulangan itu disebut bagian dari pemindahan tahanan.