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Sunday, December 16, 2007
Jalosjos release set past midnight Sunday
By Cheng Ordoñez and Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Former congressman Romeo Jalosjos is set to walk free shortly after midnight on Sunday from the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa, an official of Dapitan City disclosed.
Councilor Apple Marie Agolong of Dapitan City said Jalosjos has been eligible for release before Christmas, particularly at 12:01 a.m. on December 16, 2007 (Sunday).
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Agolong received a faxed copy of the Certificate of Discharged signed by Superintendent Juanito Leopando, in behalf of the director of the Bureau of Corrections.
Jalosjos was convicted 11 years ago for statutory rape case. He was sentenced to two life terms.
Last April, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commuted Jalosjos's sentence to 16 years.
The former congressman's good conduct and his commuted sentence made his release possible, said Agolong.
Jubilant Dapitanons
The Dapitan councilor said: "News about Jalosjos's release was considered by Dapitanons as 'bag-ong kasayuran' (new information) and were jubilant over it since last week."
Although not a native of Dapitan, Jalosjos made his first step into the province of Zamboanga del Norte via Matam, Katipunan town, in the early 1980's.
From Katipunan, Jalosjos discovered the beauty of Dakak by traveling through motor-outriggers, which was the only mode of transport then. He later decided to explore and develop Dakak into what is now known as the world-renowned Dakak Beach Resort that served as a favorite vacation place to both foreign and domestic tourists.
On Saturday, the City Council of Dapitan called for an emergency meeting in anticipation of Jalosjos's pending release.
"The people here (Dapitan) are jubilant, and we intend to release hundreds of yellow balloons to greet him (Jalosjos) upon his release tonight. There will also be fireworks to express our jubilation," Agolong said.
Agolong said Jalosjos had constantly communicated with them in Dapitan. He told them in one of his notes that he was already a living out inmate -- free to roam the prison compound," she said.
"Jalosjos had shown remorse while in prison and even if he is considered wealthy, he had his difficulties," added Agolong.
Grand homecoming
The local government officials of Dapitan City are readying for a grand homecoming celebration on the day of Jalosjos's arrival in his hometown.
Officials of Dapitan City expect the former congressman to come home to Dapitan City via Dipolog City on December 20, where he will be met at the airport by his relatives and supporters.
Most, if not all, of Dapitan City's 50 village chiefs have been readying for the past several months for the grand homecoming celebration of Jalosjos.
Agolong said that most of them (village chiefs) promised to prepare a roasted cow as a gift to Jalosjos.
"With the preparations of the village chiefs, there will be a big fiesta on the day of his arrival," she said.
Jalosjos, to many of the Dapitanons, is the brain of the city's tourism industry development that eventually got its name as the "Shrine City" of the Philippines. (Sunnex)
(December 16, 2007 issue)
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