Sanchez’s wife admits visiting Faeldon to ask about husband’s release

September 3, 2019

The wife of convicted former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez on Tuesday admitted meeting Bureau of Corrections ( BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon.


During the continuation of Senate probe on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), Elvira Sanchez said she previously met Faeldon and asked about her husband's possible release.


According to her statement during the joint Senate hearing, she received a text message informing her the possible release of the ex-mayor under the imposed GCTA Law.


Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon queried about the identity of the sender but Elvira said she no longer has the text message after destroying her mobile phone.


"I don't have the cellphone. When I woke up this morning, I received many death threats. Of course, I deemed it best to remove the SIM card. I threw the cellphone out of frustration and anger," she explained.


Elvira said upon meeting Faeldon last August 21, she was not given any assurance that her husband will be released under the GCTA Law.


"He told me, first in, first out. I replied, what about (Josman) Anzar, he was already released and yet (he was arrested) in 1997. He replied saying he didn't know about it," she recalled.


"Faeldon explained. 'if your husband is really qualified, he will be released within two months. We are processing 11,000 prisoners.' I said that's too long, he (Sanchez) has cataracts and he can hardly read. He might even become blind. If he will be released, I'm thankful because we can treat him," she added.


Faeldon in a radio interview over DZMM on August 20 first announced the possible release of Sanchez and 11,000 inmates due to GCTA.


Public outrage followed as people recalled the rape-slay of UP Los Banos students of Eileen Sarmenta and murder of Allan Gomez in 1993 where Sanchez was identified as the mastermind. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS