By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

The Philippine Embassy here in Palau is reiterating its call to the government to grant executive clemency to the remaining Filipino inmates.
Philippine Ambassador Ramoncito Marino said that last year the embassy have already wrote a formal request to President Remengesau through Vice President Elias Camsek Chin.
In Marino’s letter to Chin, he urged the vice president to consider endorsing the remaining Filipino convicts to the president for clemency.
Marino said only three Filipinos remain in jail who are serving their sentences.
Marino said in his letter to Chin that Jose Eler Daguinot, Jose Frias and Virgilio Esteban “have undergone a transformation and reformation in jail.”
“I feel that they have paid their debt to society, are ready to return to the fold of society and are in the personal and spiritual disposition to lead reformed , productive lives serving their family and community,” Marino said.
Daguinot is serving 25 years in jail for drug trafficking and possession, Frias meanwhile was convicted of manslaughter and Esteban is serving his sentence for drug trafficking.
Marino said the embassy is again appealing to the president and the vice president to review these three inmates’ cases and consider granting them clemency and allow them to return to the Philippines to be with their families.
“In my visit to Koror Jail, I had a lengthy discussion with the convicted Filipinos, who expressed hope at the thought of appealing to the President. They are and have been in good behavior and have been receiving guidance from the missionaries who administer the spiritual needs of the jail inmates,” Marino said.