Teehankee no longer at NBP quarters - TV report

MANILA, Philippines – Released murder convict Claudio Teehankee Jr has left his living quarters at the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa City, a television report confirmed Thursday. GMA News’ Ian Cruz reported over radio dzBB that he went inside Teehankee's quarters at the Ina ng Awa Parish and said the controversial personality was no longer there. Citing information from penitentiary chaplain Monsignor Roberto Olaguer, the report said that Teehankee left about 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cruz added that Teehankee could have used the rear exit to avoid mediamen waiting for him at the front door since he was spotted in the facility Tuesday. Cruz noted that his crew found a hole at the back wall of the quarters. The television report said Teehankee’s living quarters had its own air-conditioning unit, water supply, television set, comfortable bed, and clean restroom – a far cry from the living conditions of thousands of inmates packed inside NBP’s maximum security compound. Teehankee was convicted of murder for the death of Maureen Hultman, 17 (she was 16 at the time of the shooting incident on July 13, 1991); of homicide for the death of Roland John Chapman, 21; and of frustrated murder for the wounding of Jussi Leino, 24. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo granted executive clemency to Teehankee by virtue of a letter dated October 2 to the Office of the National Bilibid Prison director. He had been in prison since 1991. Teehankee's release has triggered an uproar from the aggrieved party, including Hultman's parents, an anti-crime group, and various personalities. The latest to join the outcry was the National Union of People's Lawyers who accused the President of abusing her power in granting executive clemency to Teehankee. The group said the move indicated the country’s crippled justice system. - GMANews.TV