08/03/2026
One year ago, the Rev. Jihyun Oh stood in solidarity with our partners in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, signing a letter calling for clemency and the release of human trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso.
The letter, addressed to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., states: "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."
A year later, Mary Jane still remains behind bars.
We continue to pray for Mary Jane, to speak her name, and to stand with our global partners, such as Migrante International, who are advocating for her freedom.
On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we invite you to join us in prayer and raise awareness in your congregation and community so that we may bring hope and freedom to Mary Jane and all those suffering the injustice of human trafficking.
Read more about Mary Jane's story in this article from the Presbyterian News Service: https://hubs.ly/Q04rdBSX0