Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon confirmed on Monday, September 2, that the Chiong sisters’ rapist-killers had been released from prison in August.

The confirmation was made during the Senate inquiry on Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law where Faeldon faced the issues and controversies surrounding GCTA’s implementation.

Senator Panfilo asked Faeldon if those convicted of raping and killing the Chiong sisters were among the 20,000 plus freed prisoners under the GCTA law.

Faeldon did not answer a straight yes or no but said he could not remember.

“Because I really do not distinguish that cases,” Faeldon explained.

Lacson then showed the release order of the three convicts Josman Azmar, Ariel Balansag, and Alberto Caño signed by Corrections Technical Chief Supt. Maria Fe Marquez, the Director of the Directorate for Reformation and the Head of the Management, Screening & Evaluation Committee.

The senator further asked: Have they been released?

Faeldon readily answered: Yes, your honor.

“Yung unang release order kay Sanchez, na-preempt lang because of public uproar. But in this [Chiong rape-slay convicts] case, this one got away,” Lacson said.

Marquez also confirmed her signature during the Senate hearing.

Lacson also noted that the Chiong sisters’ rape-slay convicts’ release orders were issued four days before the supposed release of ex-mayor and convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez.

“What makes the difference between the release order signed for you by Maria Fe Marquez and the release order signed by you in favor of Antonio Sanchez?” the senator further asked.

The Chiong sisters’ rapist-killers

The rape and murder of 21-year old Jacqueline and 23-year old Marijoy Chiong are one of the shocking crimes in Philippine history.

The three released convicts were among the seven (7) convicted in May 1999 for kidnapping, raping and killing the Chiong sisters on July 16, 1997, in Cebu City. Aznar was from a prominent family in Cebu while Balansag was the conductor and Caño was the van driver.

Read more about the Chiong sisters murder case:

Chiong sisters’ parents devastated over convicts’ possible early release

Chiong sisters case update: convicted rapist-killers released says Lacson