MANILA --Two prominent Catholic church leaders welcomed the release yesterday of the remaining ten Ninoy Aquino-Rolando Galman convicts following a presidential decision to grant executive clemency last March 2.
CBCP President Angel N. Lagdameo said the convicts have long suffered at the National Penitentiary and it is about time they are freed. “Hindi naman natin kailangang patagalin pa kung hindi naman napatunayang sila ang pumatay dahil karaniwan nating sinasabi ‘Justice delayed is justice denied,’” the prelate said.
Former CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz said “justice no matter how straightforward should not fail its humane dimension otherwise it becomes cruelty.”
Speaking of the specific case of Ninoy Aquino-Rolando Galman double murder convicts, the prelate said “it is not very certain who killed whom that is why the responsibility fell on the group of persons who cannot pull one trigger.”
He said it is fair according to humane justice that the remaining ten convicts in the case should be set free.
“They have suffered enough and they behaved well so God bless them,” the 74- year old prelate said.
As far as CBCP Commission on Prison Pastoral Care Executive Secretary Rodolfo Diamante is concerned, he said their lobbying has finally ended with the impending release.
“They should be released because they have been incarcerated for over 20 years and they deserve their freedom,” Diamante said.
Diamante added he looks forward to the successful re-integration to society of the Aquino-Galman convicts because “the purpose of their stay inside is to prepare them for their lives after serving their terms.”
“I personally know Sgt. Felomino Miranda and the other convicts who have been active in church formation programs and they have participated in Catholic church-rooted programs,” he added.
Asked what should be done further to serve prisoners up for release, Diamante said the government should consider an aggressive “pre-release program.” Msgr. Roberto “Bobby” Olaguer, NBP chaplain said he’s happy seeing the convicts’ released.
“After 10,048 days in prison, (that includes moral and physical suffering), after all those days, finally they will be out of prison,” Olaguer said.
“Probably because of their training as soldiers, they emerged as leaders in the activities of the local Catholic community and they actively participated in various formation programs,” the chaplain said. “Hindi siguro sila mahihirapan knowing their capacities and capabilities, they will be successful in their reintegration to society,” he further added.
Msgr. Olaguer said former Sgt. Miranda’s 90-year old father passed away several days ago and his release would allow the former soldier to attend his father’s wake and funeral. Miranda served President of their local parish pastoral council and presided over church-based activities within NBP’s Maximum Security compound.
Meanwhile, Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda Acosta was very grateful for the release of the remaining ten convicts.
“I am thankful to God, to President Arroyo, Justice Secretary Gonzales and church leaders including CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and Davao Bishop Fernando Capalla for their support and prayers,” Acosta said in an interview with Catholic-run Veritas 846.
She said Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo and Bishop Ephraim Tindero of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches also helped her campaign to free all the Aquino-Galman convicts.
It will be recalled Atty. Acosta moved for the re-opening of the Aquino-Galman double murder case some years ago but was denied by the Supreme Court. (Melo M. Acuña)