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If convicted rapist Francisco ?Paco? Larrañaga is sent to Spain, the Philippine government will be able to bring home two Filipinos imprisoned in Spain.
This, if the Philippines-Spain Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement is implemented, said Justice Secretary Agnes Devinadera.
Devinadera explained this to Thelma Chiong during a meeting at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila last Monday.
While the DOJ could not yet name the Filipino prisoners who would benefit from the treaty, Devinadera said it was practically a ?done deal.?
The treaty allows prisoners of one country who are citizens of the other to spend the rest of their sentences in prisons located on their homeland.
Larrañaga is one of seven men convicted for the 1997 abduction, rape and murder of Chiong?s daughters, Marijoy and Jacqueline.
While considered a Filipino, having been born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother, Larrañaga is also a Spanish citizen by virtue of his Spaniard father.
The Larrañaga family has sought to take advantage of the treaty, citing better penitentiary environments in Spain.
The DOJ recently approved Larrañaga?s application to take advantage of the treaty. If implemented, he would be its first beneficiary.
Chiong has strongly opposed the treaty. She visited Devinadera last Monday to discuss the matter and clarify issues about Larrañaga?s transfer.
?Devinadera said she understood our side. She said that as a mother, she knew how we felt. She said it was up to us if we decided to go against the treaty,? Chiong said.
Despite their opposing views, Chiong said the three-hour meeting went well and ?there were no heated arguments.?
Also discussed last Monday was the P750,000 that the Chiong family received from the Larrañagas as court-ordered remuneration.
Chiong said she and her lawyer were contemplating asking for an additional amount after Devinadera found the amount ?small.?
Chiong earlier said the money was ?enough? and had since been given to her sisters, who paid much of the family?s litigation expenses during the trial.
?I?m just happy to receive the amount but I?m not thinking about it. They could not pay for the death of my daughters,? Chiong said.
