Cops to monitor freed Chiong case convicts

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office has formed a team to monitor the whereabouts of three men who were convicted for the kidnapping, rape, and killing of sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong in Cebu in 1997 but released from jail under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law.

No less than Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon confirmed on September 2 during a Senate investigation that Josman Aznar, Alberto Caño, and Ariel Balansag – three of seven convicted in the Chiong case – have been released.

Just yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte called on Faeldon to step down following controversy in the implementation of the GCTA law.

Yesterday, too, Cebu City Police Director Gemma Vinluan announced she has ordered her men to check if Aznar, Caño, and Balansag are here in Cebu, if their families are still here, and if they still have properties here.

"Nag-utos na ako na i-check kung nandito ba yung family nung mga suspek na na-release…wala pa akong official report pero nagpalabas na ako ng mga taong magmo-monitor kung nandito ba sila sa Cebu City (I have directed my men to check if the families of those released are here… I have not received an official report yet but I have already fielded men to monitor if the three are here)," she said.

"Yung address nila before, pinapa-confirm natin kung andito ba sila sa Cebu City at kung andito ba ang kanilang mga ari-arian (We’re confirming if they still have the same address here and if they still have properties here)," she added.

She clarified that the three will not be touched unless the court orders that they be re-arrested due to deficiencies in the GCTA implementation.

"Kung sila ay nabigyan ng GCTA, sila ay malayang ma-enjoy ang privilege na yun… kung sakaling lumabas po ang order ng court na merong lapses, na hindi tama ang naging process at kailangang ibalik sila sa court, ibalik natin sila (If they were given the GCTA, they can enjoy their liberty freely, but if the court find out there were lapses and orders that they be brought back, we will bring them back to court)," Vinluan said.

She added:

“Pero kung wala naman po, bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong mabuhay ulit ng maayos, and we will not question the wisdom kung sino pa nag-release sa kanila (If there is no such order from the court, let’s give them a chance to live a better life and we will not question the wisdom behind their release)."

Personally, Vinluan said, she has reservations on releasing prisoners under the GCTA law.

"Ang jail facilities natin ay walang division. Kung magnanakaw ka, kung adik ka, kung rapist ka, and everything, sama-sama kayong lahat so nagkaroon ka na ng network sa loob ng kulungan. Ngayon, palabasin mo yung mga rapist, pati sa drugs connected na rin yan… sa robbery, kidnapping, carnapping… connected na yang mga yan (Our jails do not segregate prisoners based on crime. If you’re a thief, a drug addict, a rapist… all of you stay together and mingle with each other inside so you establish a network inside the jail. If you release a rapist, for example, that rapist can connect to the robbery, kidnapping, and carnapping networks outside),” she said.

Still, she said, everyone can be given a second chance.

“Ibalik po natin sila sa community kung gusto po natin na mas maging magulo ang bansa natin… unless na magbagong buhay sila… lahat naman pwedeng bigyan ng second chance (Let’s put them back in the community if we want our country to be more chaotic… unless, of course, if they change completely… everyone can be given a second chance),” Vinluan said.

Reports of the possible release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez who was convicted for rape and murder caused public outrage and drew attention to Republic Act 10592, the law that increased the GCTA granted to inmates.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has since suspended the processing of the early release of inmates under the GCTA Law.

GCTAs are provided for by R.A. 10592, a 2013 law that amends a number of provisions of the Revised Penal Code on time allowances and credit for preventive imprisonment of inmates.

In June, the Supreme Court declared that the law should be applied retroactively, or even on cases that took place before the enactment of the measure. —  JMO (FREEMAN)