Jalosjos still a threat to society - lawyer

MANILA, Philippines – The lawyer who sent former Zamboanga City Rep. Romeo Jalosjos to jail in 1997 for raping a minor has assailed the impending release of the convicted rapist. In a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras," Katrina Legarda said Jalosjos should remain behind bars since he neither admitted nor showed remorse in his action. “Kung walang acknowledgement na ang ginawa ay mali o na dapat hindi ulit gagawin, ‘di paglabas nang isang convicted rapist, mangre-rape uli ‘yun," she said. [“If a convicted rapist does not admit to his crime, then he might commit the same crime again once he is released from prison."] Earlier, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Oscar Calderon said he had already signed the release order for Jalosjos after he approved the former lawmaker's request for the reconsideration of his colonist status. Jalosjos may be released Thursday upon completion of the pertinent documents needed for his release, Calderon said. Calderon's executive assistant, Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante, said that an inmate may be classified as colonist if he/she had made significant contributions to BuCor's rehabilitation process for other inmates while serving his/her sentence. Malacañang meanwhile maintained that they have nothing to do with Jalosjos scheduled release. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the last thing that Malacañang did for Jalosjos was commuted his jail term. “The initial recommendation comes from the BuCor, Bureau of Pardons and Parole, and then the process will be submitted to the Department of Justice which has the ministerial job of transmitting to the Office of the President," Ermita said. - with Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV