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| Paco Larrañaga with other accused / photo from Give Up Tomorrow Facebook page |
With all the support he is getting, as people rally behind
him, Francisco "Paco" Larrañaga, who was accused in the Chiong sisters murder case expressed
his words of gratitude.
The Facebook page Give Up Tomorrow (the documentary film of
the infamous case) has posted Paco’s message for everyone who supports him.
"I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my
heart to all of you who have sent me messages of support, encouragement and
prayers. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the human rights abuses
and the facts of our case. This is very important to me because maybe by
knowing what happened to us it will prevent more innocent people from falling
through the cracks of the justice system. Thank you for being my voice when I
cannot speak out in our fight for justice. I am
so overwhelmed with gratitude. Reading your messages puts a smile in my heart." Paco wrote.
In his message, Paco also took time
to remember his six co-accused, who he said are just as innocent as he is, victims
of injustice. *
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| Imprisoned Paco claimed that his co-accused are innocent too / photo from Give Up Tomorrow |
“I also wanted to tell you that I am not the only one who is
innocent. My 6 co-accused are just as innocent as I am. “ Paco said.
“I am fortunate that Spain’s prison system is humane and
rehabilitative and that they have allowed me to complete culinary school and to
work, but not a day goes by that I do not think about James Andrew, James
Anthony, Alberto, Ariel, Josman and Rowen and feel a pain in my soul because
they do not deserve to be in Bilibid any more than I do." he added.
He even pleaded to his supporters to also hear the stories of his
6 co-accused.
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| Paco Larrañaga was transferred from the Philippines to Spain, where he is currently in prison / photo from El Pais |
Below is the complete message from Paco:
Hello Everybody! This is Paco. I wanted to say thank you from
the bottom of my heart to all of you who have sent me messages of support,
encouragement and prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the human rights
abuses and the facts of our case. This is very important to me because maybe by
knowing what happened to us it will prevent more innocent people from falling
through the cracks of the justice system. Thank you for being my voice when I
cannot speak out in our fight for justice. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude.
Reading your messages puts a smile in my heart.
I also wanted to tell you that I am not the only one who is
innocent. My 6 co-accused are just as innocent as I am. I am fortunate that
Spain’s prison system is humane and rehabilitative and that they have allowed
me to complete culinary school and to work, but not a day goes by that I do not
think about James Andrew, James Anthony, Alberto, Ariel, Josman and Rowen and
feel a pain in my soul because they do not deserve to be in Bilibid any more
than I do. They are victims of injustice just like me. If you can, please hear
their stories too.
I don’t have the words to properly describe this feeling of
gratitude and friendship that I feel towards all of you who have reached out to
me but please know that you have made this burden lighter to bear with your
kindness and that I will keep you in my heart and in my prayers. Paco Larrañaga
