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My long journey home

Posted on 07 November 2019 No comments

Mario delos Reyes is reunited with his wife Gigi (left).

By Mario delos Reyes

Part 1
I had spent almost the entirety of my productive life behind bars, but when the Big Day that all inmates are looking forward to, especially lifers, finally arrived, my emotion was strangely one of anger instead of happiness. This might have something to do with how the Long Term Prison Sentences Review Board had dragged its feet assessing my sentence, despite the endorsements of many highly respected people of the society, not to mention the trial judge’s personal legal opinion that this case must have been one of manslaughter, not of murder, that carries just a few years’ sentence. The Review Board had ignored these facts, but addressed them finally this year, maybe due to the pressure from media.

I was brimming with hope and confidence when the Chief Prison Superintendent wrote an endorsement for a Special Assessment Report on my behalf a few years back. This report is rare and given only to a few selected inmates, but even this was not able to convince the Review Board, which merely replied that “insufficient time served”. However the question that has never been answered since, is how much is “sufficient time”?

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When I was finally released after being given a fixed sentence, the CSD (Correctional Services Department) turned me over to immigration authorities. According to the prison superintendent, they didn’t know what to do with me on the basis that I have a HK ID card.

I was in the CSC for two weeks, but my departure date and flight date was given to me a week prior and my mind was not on my family, but on my adopted family who I was with for the past 26 years. Sadness engulfed me at the thought of leaving them behind for they will miss “Kuya Mario” for sure, especially the sisters in the women’s prison whom I have always tried to help with matters like drafting grounds for appeal, petitions for sentence reductions, how to earn extra money while inside, and how to beat the prison system without infringing established rules and regulations.

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I always felt a sense of gratification whenever a positive outcome was achieved with my help, and conversely, when a negative one resulted, making me feel worse than the intended recipient. However, whatever the outcome, I’ve always thanked and praised the God almighty, for His will be done.

The day of my departure finally arrived. I was escorted by two sympathetic young immigration officers at the airport, as well as Consul Paul Saret and Attache Arnel de Luna of the assistance to nationals section of the Philippine Consulate, who checked in my baggage and arranged my flight route. I was so overwhelmed with gladness by the dignified treatment given me for the entire duration of my repatriation.

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I was probably the last passenger to embark and luckily I was assigned a seat near the window and nobody knew I was a deportee except for the flight attendant who was holding my travel documents.

Upon my arrival at the Manila International Airport I was assisted and guided by a friendly mestiza-looking stewardess who initiated a friendly conversation until we arrived at the immigration counter.

A question and answer with a woman immigration superintendent ensued. I showed her The SUN article with the headline, “Mario is free” and she was amazed upon reading it. She immediately asked if she could be of help, so I told her I had a cell phone but I didn’t know how to use it. She asked me for my wife’s number and after calling it, told me that my family was already waiting at the arrival area.

One of her underlings escorted me to the right exit where my daughter and wife were waiting. They hugged me tightly, but I felt no emotion whatsoever for I got used to being away from them, first, when I was still in the active military service, then as an OFW, and finally, while in prison. This could explain the tepid feeling I felt.

Then from out of nowhere a car stopped beside where we were standing and my younger son alighted in a dramatic “welcome back, dear papa” greeting, complete with a brief tight hug. Then he carried my luggage and dropped it in the car compartment.

I was confused by the many changes I saw in Manila and didn’t recognize any of the scenery anymore on our way back home. But I know I have to begin and move on with my life anew, and catch up with what I missed for the past three decades.

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This is a personal account by the author on how he felt on his release, 26 long years after he was jailed in Hong Kong for a murder he has always maintained he did not commit. Mario lived an exemplary life as an inmate, taking up all courses on offer, including a master’s degree in Business English; and extending help to other Filipinos who were in jail, especially the women drug couriers. It’s a long process of healing, but Mario is hopeful he will overcome, with help from his wife and three children who have remained supportive through the years. Welcome back, Mario! – ed

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The good, the bad and the ugly

Posted on 11 October 2019 No comments

The author gets to meet only two of her three children.on her graduation.

By Christine Diones Dia

In our daily lives we always get into situations that are either, good, bad or ugly. It seems these experiences will always be part of our life.

But life is even more difficult for us who are inside prison, and even more so because we are in a foreign land.

Some people say prison is the worst place, but for me “worst’ is a big word, and is relative. It could be used depending on how we adapt to a new situation or environment.

In life we always have choices, and every choice we make there will always be consequences.

Here in prison, life could be easier if you reform yourself and strive to gain extra knowledge by studying. If you study and you excel you will have a chance to attend the graduation ceremony where you will be joined by your family. That is the reward that you will get for being “good.”

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But if you choose to just sit down and wait for your release you will gain nothing but gray hair because of too much thinking. This is a “bad” thing.

These are only a few examples of the “good, bad and ugly” things about prison life. But whether we’re inside or outside if we don’t think and make bad choices then the outcome will be worse.

A correctional institute helps prisoners to correct their wrongdoings and reform and rebuild themselves and bring back their dignity. We offenders are given a chance to study so we can use the knowledge that we gained once we are released. We should not waste this chance.

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I consider myself fortunate because I was able to study and attend the graduation ceremony. Here I want to share my experience when my family was allowed to see me during graduation.

I’ve been in prison for four years, and now at last I will see my three children. The first day I had mixed emotions. I was so happy, grateful and nervous at the same time because I really didn’t know how I would feel to see them face to face again.

It was very painful at first because I could not touch and hug them because of the glass window that separated us. But my daughter was very positive and hopeful. She climbed up and kissed me through the glass window. No walls, hindrance or obstacles could stop us from expressing our love for each other. We talked, we cried, we laughed. I felt complete once again because I was with my three children.

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When the 30 minutes allowed for the visit ended and I saw them leave, I almost died. It was so painful that I could not go with them because I needed to stay in prison.

Graduation time came, the most awaited time in prison, and once again, fate tested us. My eldest son was not allowed to go inside and join us during the ceremony even when I begged because there is a strict prison policy that allows only a maximum of two family members to join us during the graduation.

It should have been a perfect moment if all three of my children were allowed in, but no matter how I begged, my eldest son was not allowed in. That tore my heart, truly one of the times when life could be so bad.

Then the moment of truth came. Before the ceremony each prisoner was allowed to be joined by their two family members for a photo op. As I entered the hall I saw my daughter and son standing and waiting for me. The moment I heard them call me “Mommy” my heart started pounding so fast. I ran to them to hug and kiss them. Truly, nothing compares to a mother’s love. Having them in my arms again after so many years was indescribable. My children and I felt like the world had stopped turning and we were the only people in that room until Madam called us because the ceremony was about to start. We slowly returned to reality but I was so overwhelmed by happiness.

The program was a bit boring because everything was said in Cantonese even if the graduates, family members and guests were mostly non-Chinese. That, to me, was an ugly time.

But the production numbers were quite good, and some chosen inmates proved very entertaining when they sang and danced to the theme song of the movie, Lalaland. After the ceremony came the much awaited moment when we could be with our loved ones while taking refreshments.

We had exactly one hour to catch up, which was not really enough considering how long we had been apart, but I was grateful anyway because I got to spend time with my children, which was priceless. That was what I’d call a good moment.

My children and I didn’t eat, and we spent much of the time hugging and kissing. We used up the time talking non-stop about their life away from me, and how they excelled in school. I have always been proud of how they have done well in all aspects of their life.

Then our time was up. It hurt to say goodbye to them. As soon as I stood up I turned around and walked away, not wanting to see them cry because I knew it would break my heart. I ran fast from the room lest I changed my mind and go back to kiss and hug them all over again.

Life is not perfect. We are all bound to make mistakes, but those mistakes should not destroy us. We could regain our dignity if we repent and correct our wrongdoings. We are in a dangerous world, we should be smart enough when making tough decisions in life. Those decisions could be life-changing, and our choices could lead us to something that’s either good, bad or ugly.

It is because of one such bad decision that I am here in prison, far from my family and loved ones, and having to bear so many ugly moments. But the good part is, I have learned from my mistakes.
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This article was sent to us by Christine Diones Dia, a Filipina who has been in jail for four years after being arrested for trafficking drugs into Hong Kong. She writes about the pain of seeing her three children for the first time since she was put behind bars. This happened only because she finished a prison course in March, and was allowed to be joined during graduation by two of her children. Her eldest had to remain outside because prison rules allow only a maximum of two family members to join a graduating inmate. It was a bittersweet moment that underscored for Christine the severity and consequence of the offense that she committed.

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Mario is free!

Posted on 06 October 2019 No comments

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

This spark of good news came, or rather, was confirmed to us, just a few days before we were to put the paper to bed.

Mario delos Reyes, our faithful correspondent who has spent the past 26 years in the maximum-security Stanley Prison, will be released on Oct. 5. He said so himself, in a letter he sent to us in his distinctive handwriting.

Before this we learned from some Consulate officials that Mario had finally got what he had long wished for, which was to be given a fixed sentence so he could be released. But getting the news from Mario himself made it more real, and special.

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He would be getting out shortly after being given a fixed term because of his exemplary record as a prisoner. Not a single infraction of the rules, or of getting into fights, or misbehaving. On top of this, he completed many of the courses offered to inmates that he has jokingly said at one point that if law was offered he would be a lawyer by now.

Lately, he has also been spending much of his time corresponding with and consoling Filipinas who got imprisoned for acting as drug couriers for syndicates.

Maybe it was his training as a soldier, or his natural inclination to be studious, or his steely determination to remain unbowed, that allowed Mario to withstand the rigors of prison, but survived he did, and most admiringly.

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His case easily comes to mind whenever the controversy over the good conduct time allowance given to prisoners in the Philippines is raised. If anyone is in doubt as to how this could apply to prisoners, those in maximum security especially, we need only to look at Mario.

He is the best argument for allowing prisoners a chance to reform and settle back in society.

How did he do it? Mostly by reading, writing, and generally keeping his mind busy. If he couldn’t physically leave his cell, well, his mind could certainly wander.

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For maybe half the period that he was within the impenetrable walls of Stanley Prison, Mario kept us informed about his condition and views of the outside world through his letters.

Of late, he would even enclose articles he solicited from one of the Filipina inmates he has taken under his wings and encouraged to write, to ward off pangs of despair and loneliness. These letters we consider priceless for they bring us right within the cold prison walls to feel the anguish of those paying the price of falling foul with the law.

With Mario himself it was different. Except for a few recent letters in which he allowed himself to wallow in self-pity after being denied his request for a fixed term, his commentaries were always upbeat and thought-provoking.

I remember his incisive pieces on the treaty on the transfer of sentenced prisoner (a topic close to his heart), why the ongoing campaign against drugs in the Philippines is getting ex-prisoners like him wary of returning to the Philippines, and even his excitement at being visited by the country’s top diplomat in Hong Kong.

His long piece on Christmas celebrations back home was both festive and poignant, it made you realize things you have taken for granted because they were always within reach.

But during one of our rare visits to Stanley, Mario spoke of a surreal moment when the loneliness and anger got the better of him, and he wanted to hit someone he thought was responsible for his failure to get a sentence hearing.

That would have gone to his record, and could have affected his chance of getting an early release.

But having toed the line for a quarter of a century, Mario needed only to shore up his self-control until the moment passed. He was adamant he would not “lose it”, as did many people in the detention facility, including a friend.

Instead of wallowing in self pity or letting the loneliness suck the hope out of him, Mario allowed his mind to grow, and go to places far beyond his tiny prison cell.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. This Mario took to heart, and freed his mind even before the doors of Stanley could be opened to him.

But he has done his time, and should now be allowed to free his body as well, even if only to feel the warmth of his family’s embrace again.

So, welcome back to our topsy-turvy world, Mario.

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Maruming laro

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Ilang buwan pa lang ang nakalilipas nang pinauwi si Labatt Jolly dela Torre ay parang nakalimutan na nating ipinaglaban siya noong nakaraang taon. Hindi ba nag-protesta pa tayo nong biglang i-recall si Labatt Jolly? Tinutulan natin ito dahil ang dahilan ay hindi niya pinapayagan ang legal na pagpasok ng mga Pinay para magtrabaho sa Wanchai. At hindi ba nakuha natin ang gusto natin dahil naibalik siya?

Dahil dito, may nagtanim ng galit laban kay Sir Jolly— Hindi lang mga negosyanteng nawalan ng kita ang galit sa kanya dahil hinadlangan niya ang negosyong matatawag na human trafficking, kundi mga sarili rin niyang kasamahan na nawalan din ng komisyon mula sa raket na ito.

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Nang maalis siya sa Hong Kong, binalikan agad siya. Naghanap sila ng butas, at nakita ang bagong kontrata para sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong computerized na pang-ayuda sa pag-process ng mga kontrata.

Ayon kay Labatt Jolly, naubos ang pasensiya ng mga taga POLO dahil hindi tinutugunan ng dating supplier ang mga kailangan nila. Dagdag dito ay may negosyo pa ito na puwedeng gumamit ng data na nakolekta sa dati nitong serbisyo.

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Dahil sa isang liham ng isang grupo ng employment agencies na hindi nagpakilala, pinaimbestigahan ni Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ang akusasyon na may katiwaliwan sa tinawag niyang “midnight deal”.

Ang kaso, natapos na ang imbestigasyon na hindi man lang tinanong si Labatt Jolly at, ayon sa press release ng DOLE, idedemanda pa siya base dito.

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Pero ang butas na nakita nila laban kay Labatt Jolly ay butas-butas.

Halimbawa, wala raw bidding. Pero ayon sa batas ng Pilipinas, hindi kailangan ang bidding kung wala namang babayaran ang gobyerno. Ang serbosyonf ito ay babayaran ng mga agency na gagamit nito. Gayun pa man, tumawag si Labatt Jolly ng apat na supplier, at isang panel na kasama ang mga taga-POLO at isang representative ng mga ahensiya ang pumili ng nanalo.

At bakit tinawag itong midnight deal kung apat na buwan na itong napirmahan nang pinauwi si Labatt Jolly, at ilan ding buwan ang preparasyon para sa biddding?

Maliwanag na iniipit siya ulit. Bakit hindi ka umaalma?

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