Laguna rapist-killer also wants out of jail

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

MANILA, Philippines—A former mayor sentenced to more than 300 years in jail for rape and murder wants to join the December procession out of prison.

Claiming he’s now eligible for either pardon or parole, ex-mayor Antonio Sanchez of Calauan, Laguna, contemplates a return to politics and a long vacation with his family, possibly including a pilgrimage to Israel.

And apparently he’s still got the legs for it.

“Look at my knees,” Sanchez said on Wednesday in Filipino in an interview with Radyo Inquirer at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. “Yet they say my devotion to the Virgin Mary is just all drama.”

He was showing off his knees, which he said had become dark-skinned and calloused after years of Marian devotion and praying the rosary—especially throughout his 18 years behind bars as one of the VIP inmates at the NBP.

Sanchez was meted out seven life terms for the 1993 killings of University of the Philippines students and sweethearts Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez. Sarmenta was also raped after being presented as a “gift” to Sanchez by his henchmen.

I guess 2010 will be remembered as the free the criminals year.

Full story here.