Two convicts back in prison

CEBU, Philippines —  Two of the three men convicted for the rape and murder of the Chiong sisters in 1997 in Cebu and who were released from prison under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law have turned themselves over back to authorities Friday.

In a text message to reporters Saturday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Ariel Balansag and Alberto Caño have surrendered to the Bureau of Corrections.

The third inmate, Josman Aznar, is expected to surrender next week, Guevarra said.

President Rodrigo Duterte said this week that the convicts released under the GCTA who will not surrender within 15 days will be considered fugitives. He ordered the immediate rearrest of at least 1,700 convicts freed through the GCTA law.

Chiong sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline were kidnapped, raped, and in Marijoy’s case, killed. Only Marijoy’s body was recovered.

Seven men—most of them from prominent families in Cebu City—were imprisoned for the case. Aside from Aznar, Caño, Balansag, others convicted were Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga, Rowen Wesley Adlawan, James Andrew "MM" Uy and James Anthony Uy.

Larrañaga, who is of Spanish descent, is serving his sentence in Spain.

The parents of Marijoy and Jacqueline are thankful of the development. They hope that all three will be behind bars when they celebrate their daughters’ birthdays today, Sunday, and tomorrow, Monday.

Their mother, Thelma, urged Aznar to surrender and not wait for a manhunt operation.

Earlier, Aznar’s lawyer said they are just waiting for a warrant of arrest from the court.

“Ang husgado ra man ang dunay kagahum sa pagpadakop sa usa ka tawo sigun sa atong batakang balaud o mga balaudnon (Under the law, only the court can order a person’s arrest),” Atty. Edgar Gica told The Freeman.

Thousands of prisoners were supposed to benefit from the GCTA law, which deducts days from their sentences due to good conduct, but public outrage over the early release of some high-profile convicts prompted lawmakers to investigate the implementation of the law, and the suspension of the processing of inmates’ GCTA.

Early this week, Duterte fired BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon for disobeying his order to stop the release of convicts based on their GCTA. Faeldon told a Senate panel last Monday that the three convicts in the rape and murder of Chiong sisters were released. — JMO (FREEMAN) Philstar.com