Free from death row

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) was set to release yesterday afternoon three convicted kidnappers sentenced to death after the Supreme Court (SC) acquitted them of their crimes.

Ordered released by the High Court were James Patano, Ramil Madriaga and Rosendo Madriaga.

The SC promulgated its decision last March 14. It reversed the ruling of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 262 on Criminal Case No. 110089-H that convicted the suspected kidnappers.

BuCor Director Ricardo Macala said he received the order of release yesterday morning. The three men were expected to walk to freedom later in the afternoon after the bureau processes their release.

The SC also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest accused Manolo Babac and Allan Duarte, who have remained at-large, and other persons who appear criminally liable for the crime.

The SC further ordered the agencies to submit a report of compliance within 10 days.

"The prosecution must exert more diligent efforts next time," the High Court said in its two-page order. – Nikko Dizon, Aurea Calica