Rolito Go confined in hospital due to colon cancer  

Convicted murderer Rolito Go is spending his first days of freedom confined in a hospital in Manila due to his stage 4 colon cancer, according to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras" on Monday.

The report said it is unclear when Go's discharge from the Metropolitan Medical Center will be. The hospital has yet to release a medical bulletin regarding his condition.

Go was convicted of murder for killing Eldon Maguan in 1991 over a traffic altercation. He escaped from jail before his life sentence was served in 1993 but was subsequently arrested. He was later transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to the Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan for good behavior.

While in detention, Go asked the Maguan family's forgiveness, saying what happened was an accident.

"Sana maunawaan nila na 'yung sitwasyon na nangyari sa anak nila, hindi intensyon na mangyari. Actually ito aksidente 'yan," Go said. "Sa magulang ni Maguan, sorry, hindi ko intensyon [ang nangyari], aksidente talaga."

Go filed a petition for his release with the Supreme Court on the basis of his commuted sentence for good behavior. The high court granted his request.

Go's camp argued he should have been freed from detention in January 31, 2013, or nine years ahead of his life sentence, which should have lasted until January 21, 2022.

Atty. Jose Flaminiano, counsel of the Maguan family, said his clients informed Go that they accepted the SC ruling since they believe justice has already been served for Maguan.

"Nag-usap sila ni Ellis Maguan kahapon at sinabi nito sa kanya na tanggap na ng kanilang pamilya na justice has been served. Rolito had been detained for more than 20 years," Flaminiano said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News