Woman wrongfully jailed for 23 years finally freed through DOJ action center

• A woman jailed for 23 years despite a reduced sentence of only 30 days was freed through the DOJ Action Center
• She was initially convicted of murder for killing her alleged r@pist, but this was later downgraded to less serious physical injuries
• The DOJ’s Katarungan Caravan helped her file a habeas corpus petition, leading to her release
• The DOJ Action Center, with BuCor, targets the release of 5,000 PDLs by year-end, including elderly inmates overstaying due to lack of legal help

After spending 23 years behind bars despite having a reduced sentence of only 30 days, a female person deprived of liberty (PDL) is finally free, thanks to the intervention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Action Center.

Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, who oversees the DOJ Action Center, said the woman was initially convicted of murder for killing her alleged r@pist.

However, upon appeal, it was determined that she was only liable for less serious physical injuries, a crime punishable by just 30 days.

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“Kaso, di siya na release kasi ‘yung isa niyang co-defendant nag automatic appeal so nadamay siya. Kailangang hintayin pa sa court ‘yung final conviction ng co-defendant niya bago siya ma-release so meron ganun technicality,” Gutierrez explained in a DZMM interview.

The DOJ Action Center, through its Katarungan Caravan program, assisted the woman in filing a habeas corpus petition, eventually securing her release.

“So convicted siya of murder, which was later modified to less serious physical injuries. Ngayon, laya na po siya,” Gutierrez said.

She noted that the Katarungan Caravan has already helped free hundreds of elderly PDLs who should have been released under the good conduct time allowance law but lacked legal assistance.

One recent case involved a 70-year-old PDL who was released after serving 26 years in prison on drug charges. Many inmates, Gutierrez said, remain detained due to missing paperwork or abandonment by their lawyers.

The DOJ Action Center, in coordination with the Bureau of Corrections, is aiming to release 5,000 PDLs by the end of the year.

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In other news, a 60-year-old Okayama teacher was fired for working part-time at a convenience store, violating Japan’s strict ban on secondary jobs for public school teachers, Bombo Radyo reported. The school principal confirmed the violation after personally visiting the store on the teacher’s rest day. The teacher admitted taking the job in November 2023 to supplement her reduced salary after being rehired post-retirement. The case sparked online debate over Japan’s prohibition on side jobs, with critics questioning its fairness for honorable, off-duty work.

Still in other news, the parents of two of the students injured by falling debris in Quezon City have issued a statement detailing their sons' conditions and calling for accountability. One son is in critical condition and requires surgery, while the other sustained injuries and is traumatized. The families are requesting an expedited investigation and plan to pursue legal remedies against those deemed negligent. The parents expressed gratitude for the support received and acknowledged the assistance of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and other local officials.

Source: KAMI.com.gh