119 convicts eyed for executive clemency

MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) announced Friday that 119 inmates of various penal facilities are being considered for executive clemency.

Among them are several men convicted of rape, robbery with homicide and drug-related crimes.

Among the rape convicts eyed for executive clemency are Sulpicio Rañon Capinig, who raped a 13-year-old girl in Aroroy town, Masbate in 1992; Baltazar Hagunoy Cesista, who raped his victim in 1994; and Joseph Narido Dizon, who raped the best friend of his girlfriend in an apartelle in Pasay City in 1996. 

The list also involved murder convict Gilbert dela Cruz Elijorde, who along with other suspects mobbed a group of men in Bocaue, Bulacan in 1995 and stabbed one of them to death.

The BPP also shortlisted Edwin Villapando Cañeta, who robbed a victim of P50,000 and stabbed him in Manila in 1988. He was convicted of robbery with homicide. 

Also included is drug convict Baltazar Mateos Bongalon, who was caught with over 250 grams of shabu during a drug sting in Parañaque City in 1994. He used a motorcycle to deliver drugs, court records show.

Those interested in the latest batch of candidates for executive clemency may file other information, their comments or objections before the BPP within 30 days from publication, which was last Friday.