Chiong sisters’ parents devastated when the news broke that the convicted rapists and killer of their daughters may benefit the law allowing prisoners’ early release due to good conduct.
Mrs. Thelma Chiong and her husband recently heard that three of the seven convicts may be released namely Rowen Adlawan, Alberto Caño, and Ariel Balansag.
Mrs. Chiong said, “It is an injustice! When the conviction has already served the justice for my children.”
“It’s like we lost our children again,” said Dionesio Chiong, the victims’ father.
In the “24 Oras” report, the Bureau of Corrections director-general Nicanor Faeldon denied the news. Faeldon also said convicted rapist and killer of Eileen Sarmenta, Antonio Sanchez is not illegible for release.
The Chiong Sisters Murder Case
The rape and murder of 21-year old Jacqueline and 23-year old Marijoy Chiong are one of the shocking crimes in Philippine history. Not only it was brutal, but it was also filled with mystery and controversy.
The Chiong sisters were kidnapped, raped, and killed on July 16, 1997, in Cebu, Philippines. Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga, a Filipino-Spanish citizen together with six other men were convicted of committing the crime. The seven were all sentenced to death by lethal injection. However, the death penalty was abolished in the Philippines on June 24, 2006.
It was last year when the Chiong sisters’ case was re-opened due to the film “Jacqueline Comes Home” which was based on the case’s story.
However, it was also this time that the documentary “Give Up Tomorrow” gained the Filipinos attention and interest on Paco’s innocence. Here, producer Marty Syjuco and filmmaker Michael Collins showed “evidence” proving Paco has nothing to do with the crime. It showed that Paco was in Manila, attending his class and partying with his friends the night the sisters were killed. Class attendance and photos were also shown.
The documentary also presented Paco’s journey to be transferred to Spain where he now works as a chef, a privilege he got as a “third-degree” prisoner.
Both Chiong and Paco’s families still cry justice up today.
UPDATE:Chiong sisters case update: convicted rapist-killers released says Lacson