Anyone else seen this documentary? It was shown here in the U.K. recently and it's still available to watch on Iplayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod..._Innocent!_Paco_and_the_Struggle_for_Justice/ It's about a guy called Paco who was convicted of commiting rape and murder in Cebu, even though there are several people who can testify that he was in Manila at the time the crimes were commited. I felt so sorry for him and his family after watching this documentary. Thankfully he's off death row now, but he'll still be languishing in a Spanish prison until 2038, he'll be an old man when he gets out. This case is such an embarrasment for the Filipino justice system. Even the E.U. and the U.N. were incapable of providing a fair outcome for this man, although they probably had a major influence on the exPresident's decision to abolish the death penalty; the only light I could see as a consequence of this case. I wish the filipino community could do something for this guy, like make his plight more visible. (So can the Mods maybe sticky this thread somewhere, where more people can see it?). I know it's a small token, but cases like this can be pivotal to how the Filipino society and its institutions mature and become more fair and egalitarian. Oh, and this article on FairTrials.Net is a must read if you want to know about his sham of a trial in Cebu: http://www.fairtrials.net/cases/spotlight/francisco_juan_larranaga_paco/ Also there's a short wiki about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paco_Larrañaga This is actually my first post here, I saw a thread about it on another Filipino forum and thought we should have one here as well. Surely we can't let this man disappear in a Spanish prison where he'll lose more of his remaining years.
This is the first time I have come across this story, and it is not the first of an injustice in Pinas (and I am very shocked at how poor the justice system seems to have treated Paco As for making this a sticky... There is something I am planning on doing that might involve this story, and providing some more light on this and other stories we have come accross, after all - it is regular Filipino people who suffer when their justice system is flawed Tarsier, may I ask. Do you have a personal involvement in this case? (Oh, and welcome to the forum)
Good lord, this and cases like the Taylor's make me think twice about my long term goal to try to retire over there.
Hello Kuya, I am not personally involved in this case, just found out about it last night; although I remember seeing a video of Paco on Youtube where he was pleading in Spanish, but I didn't really know much about his plight at that time. It was a shock knowing about this case, and made me aware how much I've taken for granted how our rights are protected here in Europe. Am looking forward to your plans on how this and other similar issues could be discussed further. Oss, Yeah it is worrying, but I don't want to be completely fatalistic about this; my original aim wasn't to scaremongre. I have plenty of relatives in Pinas who live quiet lives without much hassle. The original post was essentially a plea for justice for Paco and his family, and also to highlight the flaws in the justice system during this particular case.
I understand Tarsier, my relatives lead reasonably quiet lives over there but we have had one boy in serious trouble for using a knife on someone who attacked his friend in his own home, we have also had another lad who was shot by a Barangay officer who had no right to be carrying a gun, eventually several years later our lad got 27,000 peso compensation. We have also had some other upsetting incidents but nothing involving me as a foreigner thank god.
The Brit now in the UK and on Police bail in connection with the murder of Ella Joy in cebu has not according to the Phillipines been charged with any thing speculation is rife that the Police here are know confronted with having there "evidence" scrutinised by the Met might prove somewhat embarrising bit like with the first arrest of the Noweigan
Who's that Keith? not heard about that one, I knew about the false accusations against the Norwegian but not further allegations against a Brit?
The name is Ian Charles Griffiths. On another forum, he has already been hung drawn and quartered as a paedo, by the usual suspects... After the debacle of the norvegian guy, innocently accused of this brutal crime, I wouldn't hold it against him if he has returned to Britain. After all, the cops have turned up with a different set of witnesses altogether, different car number plate, different car colour...... So, for me, he is "innocent until proven guilty"............. Paco Larranaga, unfortunately, won't leave prison in Spain on parole, until he admits to a crime he didn't commit... Catch 22..... I watched the documentary on iPlayer, and was utterly shocked by the obvious stitch-up. They even resorted to find a repentant accomplice to "confess"...... What is scarier, is that the real murderer is still out there..... The case of the Taylors, although a different kind of crime, helps illustrate in one's mind how corrupted the Philippines Justice system can be. My initial idea to move to warmer climates in my twilight years has been taking a few knocks lately....
A classic moment last week the police had said Ian had changed the licence plate on his car to make it the same as the one on the search warrent " Oh really ?" says the judge "why would he do that? or even know what number was on the warrent"? Looooooooooooooooooooong silence
The Storyville documentary on youtube now: Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwc6CuY66pw Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko3MzowQlBQ Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVl4cf80JR8 Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFeg-EZ6Qt4 Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtIvlcX0PzY Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgRG9ChdNgQ
