Faeldon confirms release of convicts in Chiong sisters rape case

Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon on Monday confirmed that three of the men convicted in the Chiong sisters rape case have already been released.

"Yes, your honor," Faeldon replied when asked by Senator Panfilo Lacson at a Senate committee hearing if the three convicts were released from prison based on Republic Act 10592 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

During the hearing on Monday, Faeldon first said he could not remember ordering the said convicts' release.

"I cannot remember ordering the release because I cannot distinguish...," he said.

Lacson however told him that a memorandum for release of three Chiong sisters rape case convicts Alberto Caño, Ariel Balansag, and Josman Aznar was signed for Faeldon by Technical Chief Superintendent Maria Fe Marquez. The senator earlier mentioned Marquez's name in a radio interview over the weekend as the BuCor official involved in the release of the said convicts.

"This was signed by Ma. Fe Marquez. This is the release order in the case of Chiong sisters rape case. Question: Have been they released?" Lacson asked Faeldon.

"Yes, your honor," was Faeldon's reply.

“E 'di pareho din. ‘Yung release order kay Sanchez napigil lang because of the public uproar but in this case, this one got away because this was dated four days before the release order signed by you in favor of Antonio Sanchez,” Lacson said.

'Gruesome'

The senator said the case of the Chiong sisters was as gruesome as that of University of the Philippines-Los Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez.

The sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were kidnapped near a mall in Cebu in 1997. The body of one of them was found thrown in a ravine while the body of the other one was never found.

Caño, Balansag, Aznar, Rowen Adlawan, Francisco Juan "Paco" Larrañaga, James Anthony Uy and James Andrew Uy were convicted of kidnapping, illegal detention, rape and homicide. They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua in 1999.

It was raised by the Supreme Court to death penalty by lethal injection in 2004.

The decision, however, has been superseded by the abolition of capital punishment in the Philippines in 2006.

Larrañaga is currently serving his sentence in Spain through its Transfer of Sentence Agreement with the Philippines because of his dual citizenship.

Release order

Last week, documents obtained by GMA News showed that three of the six convicts  in the Chiong sisters rape case appear to already have release orders.

Faeldon, however, at that time denied that he signed any of the documents given by a source.

Thelma Chiong, mother of Marijoy and Jacqueline, on Thursday lamented the state of the country's justice system as she learned of the possible release of the convicts behind the crime.

"Hindi ko talaga matanggap Presidente. Bakit palabas itong mga akusado ko?" Thelma said.

GCTA hearing

The hearing on Monday is looking into the impending release of former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez from prison due to the GCTA law.

Sanchez was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to seven terms of reclusion perpetua for the 1993 rape and murder of Sarmenta and the murder of her friend Gomez.

The former mayor however said his release order has already been signed.

Malacañang has said convicts in heinous crimes are not qualified for early release from prison under the GCTA law. —With a report by Amita Legaspi/KG, GMA News