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By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter
CONVICTED child rapist and former
Zamboanga del Norte representative Romeo Jalosjos may be serving the
rest of his prison term at the New Bilibid Prison’s Maximum
Security Compound for his own good, according to Director Vicente
Vinarao of the Bureau of Corrections.
While Jalosjos is entitled to
move to the prison’s Minimum Security Compound after President
Arroyo commuted his sentence, Vinarao prefers to keep the convict at
the maximum prison facility for security reasons.
Vinarao said he is still studying
documents that would change Jalosjos’ status from a maximum
security prisoner to a minimum security inmate.
Jalosjos’ release is set on
November 18, 2008, a week before his 68th birthday on November 24.
He was convicted for rape in 1996 and was sentenced to two life
terms and an additional 15 years for each of the six counts of
lasciviousness he committed against his victim. He has so far served
13 years in jail.
Denying that it granted Jalosjos
clemency for political reasons, Malacañang said his sentence was
commuted after he displayed good behavior while serving time.
Jalosjos is one of a handful of
high-profile convicted rapists serving time at the NBP. Hubert Webb,
son of former senator Freddie Webb, and former mayor Antonio Sanchez
of Calauan, Laguna, are also serving time for rape.
Jalosjos is popular among the
other prisoners for his generosity. He has built a gymnasium and a
sunning area for inmates.
Malacañang denied that it
granted clemency to Jalosjos for political reasons.
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