MANILA, Philippines — An online user on Wednesday launched an online petition calling for the stop of release of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, a former mayor of Calauan, Laguna.
Online user with username “B Vergara” of Quezon City started an online petition on Change.org, urging the Department of Justice to stop the move and affirm the sentences against Sanchez. He was convicted for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Mary Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her boyfriend Allan Gomez in 1993.
“We petition the Department of Justice to stop Sanchez's release and affirm his seven life sentences. He used his power and position to kidnap, rape and murder,” the online petition read.
“His actions terrorized a university and an entire town,” it added.
The petition was prompted after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said that Sanchez was among the 11,000 prisoners who may be released because of a reduced prison term.
The release is eyed in the next two months and Guevarra said the Justice department is not required to publish or notify the convicts’ families that the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) of the prisoners are being reviewed.
READ: Relatives of Antonio Sanchez victims hit looming release
The RA 10592 or the Revised Penal Code allowed the GCTA where prisoners involved in heinous crimes and other high-profile cases are reviewed for reduced prison term.
In 1995, Sanchez was sentenced to seven life terms or up to 40 years in prison for the rape-slay of Sarmenta and murder of Gomez.
The Supreme Court Special First Division in 2001 also upheld the conviction of Sanchez along with his body guards and co-accused George Medialdea, Zoilo Ama, Baldwin Brion, Luis Corcolon, Rogelio Corcolon and Pepito Kawit.
It can be recalled that now presidential spokesman and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo served as one of the defense counsels of Sanchez.
The online petition, which will be sent to the Justice department, is initially calling for 10,000 signatures. As of posting, supporters of the petition reached almost 20,000 and the target signatures increased to 25,000.
"For full justice to be served, he must remain incarcerated for the duration of his lifetime," the online petition read.