Documentary’s commentary on justice system scores with viewers

It is a different take on the so-called “crime of the century.”

 

The documentary “Give up Tomorrow” was screened early this week, and it presented a sympathetic view of Paco Larrañaga, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death 15 years ago.

 

The film’s premise is that Larrañaga, and the six other co-killers, were railroaded into jail by the public’s mob-like clamor for justice. The rape and murder of the victims, sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong, so horrified the Cebu public that the clamor influenced the judge’s decision to convict Larrañaga, regardless of the evidence. 

 

The characterization of Larrañaga as the victim, is a far cry from the image painted of him back in 1997, when the media pictured him as a silver-spoon-in-the-mouth rich kid, drug addict, and rapist.

 

Larrañaga is currently incarcerated in a Spanish jail as his father was Spanish. A treaty with Spain allowed for this and he was transferred in 2009.

 

Larrañaga’s co-conspirators, Rowen Adlawen, Alberto Caño, Ariel Balansag, James Anthony Uy, James Andrew Uy, and Josman Aznar are still in jail in the Philippines.

 

Senator Serge Osmeña, who was present during the screening, told GMA News Online via text that the film was able to showcase the state of the country’s judicial system.

 

“There are so many victims like Paco. PNoy (President Benigno Aquino III) is beginning to reform judicial system. It started with Corona. But it will not be easy. And cannot be accomplished overnight,” he noted.

 

“The filmmakers were insinuating wrongdoings so he might open himself up to libel [charges],” Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Henares told GMA News Online.

 

However, Henares noted that film was “well-made” making her further realize that “we need judicial reform. We need to rehabilitate the courts, not just the physical side.”

 

GMA News Online tried to get Court Administrator Midas Marquez’s reaction on the film but he declined.

 

Lies?

 

The mother of the victims, Thelma Chiong, questioned the film’s credibility noting that the filmmaker was a relative of Larrañaga. (Producer Marty Syjuco’s brother was married to Larrañaga’s sister.)

 

“I was the victim of a crime. My life has been an open book. Why am I the kontrabida? Will people now, after 15 years, sympathize [with] Paco – a well-known bad boy of Cebu, with many [listings in the] police blotter – who is the head of a group called CK meaning Cop Killer,” Mrs. Chiong told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

 

She likewise questioned the film’s public screening. “All wasted money, they could have donated it for a cause. After all these years, the Larrañaga family has not accepted that their son is a criminal, convicted thrice.”

 

“The documentary is all lies and it cannot touch the case...Even sympathy cannot help Paco,” the aggrieved mother said.

 

Spark of hope

 

“You know it is very difficult to watch the film, reliving what happened, but it gives us hope that some good will come out from this film,” Mimi, Paco’s sister, told reporters after Monday’s screening. “The film helps because that means that your suffering was not for nothing.”

 

Mimi detailed that Paco has been taking some courses in Spain and is working at the jail’s infirmary while waiting for parole.

 

“It is so ironic because he (Paco) is the one on jail yet he taught me how to forgive and to not lose hope. The Chiong’s believed that they have gotten justice by having seven innocent guys in jail and that is not justice… they are victims too,” she added.

 

"Give Up Tomorrow" will show at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Ermita, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Manila, SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, and SM Cebu from October 3 to 9; and at Trinoma, Greenbelt 3, and Alabang Town Center from October 5 to 7. For more details go to www.pacodocu.com or visit Give Up Tomorrow's Facebook page. — DVM, GMA News