By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
For a minor drug offense, a man was sentenced to just three years, yet he languished in jail for an additional four years — all because court staff “forgot” to send the necessary documents.
This happened in the Philippines, uncovered by Professor Raymund Narag, a prison reform advocate and Southern Illinois University professor.
Narag stumbled upon this shocking oversight during a training session, even as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla claims to be pushing for prison reform. How many more inmates are enduring the same fate, rotting in overcrowded cells, forgotten by the very system that is supposed to uphold justice?
That this happened in a major city, not some remote outpost, is utterly inexcusable. The system’s failure here is not mere negligence — it’s a gross betrayal of justice. The Philippine justice system must be held accountable for this disgraceful neglect.
Lives are not paperwork to be misplaced or ignored. If this is how the vulnerable are treated, our justice system isn’t just broken; it’s actively perpetuating injustice, is it not?
Justice for Percy
Attaining justice for Percy Lapid should be a walk in the park for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). After all, every suspect has been identified, thanks to thorough and sound investigations.
But look at what’s unfolded since that grim night in October 2022. Yes, the state scored Joel Escorial’s conviction — 16 years for cold-blooded murder. If I were family, that’s hardly a victory. It’s more like a limp gesture masquerading as justice.
Yet, the real outrage is that the others are still on the loose. Gerald Bantag — that jailer accused of masterminding the murder — is nowhere to be found after he attended his son’s graduation at the Philippine National Police Academy at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite last March 2023. No less than President Marcos was the commencement speaker. The Dimaculangan brothers, also suspects, remain fugitives.
How is it that these people aren’t behind bars?
Meanwhile, the other key suspects who could have unraveled the truth are conveniently dead. What a scandal! If everything were above board, we wouldn’t be staring at a graveyard of suspects: one executed in jail; another dead from a mysterious heart failure; and the last one taking his own life last Sunday?
Oh, please… this script is for the madhouse! Condolences anew to the family of Percy.
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