Jalosjos claims he left Muntinlupa to meet family in Laguna

Convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos said he stepped out of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City on Sunday to visit his family at a private residence in Laguna province. The former lawmaker told GMA News's 24 Oras that he stayed at "Brentville in Laguna." It was not clear if this was the same subdivision as Brentville International in Mamplasan village in Biñan. In its website, Brentville International developers describe the site as a "world-class residential estate" decked with a "picturesque vista of greenery with soothing, fresh country air scented by an abundance of foliage and tree canopies." Jalosjos, who was convicted for the rape of an 11-year-old girl in 1996, told GMA News that he had breakfast with his family upon leaving the NBP on Sunday. Earlier reports said Jalosjos only went to his residence in M. Araullo Street in Katarungan village near the prison reservation. His admission contradicted claims by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and Director Ricardo Dapat of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). Gonzalez on Monday categorically denied that Jalosjos left the NBP even as he ordered an investigation into the alleged leak of a photocopied release order by the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP). "There is no truth that he was able to leave the compound of the Bureau of Corrections," Gonzalez told QTV's Balitanghali. Dapat said Jalosjos stayed inside the confines of the NBP and slept at a dormitory there. Balitanghali reported that Jalosjos was seen stepping out of the NBP maximum security compound past 11 a.m. Monday after hearing Mass. Based on his "understanding" with prison officials, the report said, Jalosjos was to stay at a house inside the sprawling NBP reservation for the meantime. This house, however, was not located inside the maximum security area. Jalosjos was quoted as saying that he returned to the NBP upon learning that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was contesting his release. "I have to respect the request of the officials here that I stay within the reservation, the NBP reservation. I stay as a 'living out prisoner,'" Jalosjos told QTV. He added that, "Di ako makauwi (I can't go home), I have to stay within my quarters ... at one of the houses here." As this developed, Senate President Manuel Villar expressed dismay over President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's changing stance over the release of Jalosjos. "I don't know why the President's mind keeps on changing. It would not sit well (nakakahiya) with the released convict if he or she has been released and then ordered back into prison. Maybe this person should not have been given pardon after all," Villar said in Filipino. He added: "We hope to avoid these events because it will not be fair to his family and even to the people who celebrated his release." Senator Pia Cayetano criticized the Arroyo administration's alleged habit of issuing "confusing public statements." "This constant flip-flopping especially on major policy issues indicates a lack of coordination between government agencies, or worse, underhanded attempts by this administration to push controversial policies that go against the people's interest," she said. Gonzalez has ordered a review of the "credits" awarded by former BuCor Director Vicente Vinarao that potentially entitles Jalosjos a shorter jail sentence. GMA News earlier said it received a copy of Jalosjos's supposed discharge certificate from the former lawmaker's secretary, Susan Arguelles. It was signed by Penal Supt. lV Juanito L. Leopando. Now, Jalosjos said he was free to move around the NBP reservation although he expressed remorse that he has yet to regain freedom after 13 years in prison. "There were other prisoners who were released yesterday. They were [out] on served sentence and there was no question from the bureau, from the DOJ," Jalosjos said. He added that, "Sila lumabas kahapon, malaya. ako kekwestiyunin (They left yesterday, free. Yet I'm being questioned). Why? [Am I under] a different law?" Jalosjos insisted that his release order was legal, adding that his lawyers will contest any moves to have him confined to maximum security again. - GMANews.TV