(Stories of Hope, Resiliency and Restoration - English)
Ranil Vencito (real name) a hardworking Shopee rider, was on a break from work one day when he decided to have a few drinks with friends at a nearby store in Navotas. They were just starting and not even drunk yet when a drunk and emotional man suddenly came to their group. He started saying harsh and insulting words, which caught everyone by surprise.
Ranil and his friends told the man to leave and respect their space because he wasn’t even from the area. But instead of walking away, the man got angrier. He pulled out a knife and began threatening them.
Feeling provoked and unsafe, Ranil and his friends decided to defend themselves and teach the man a lesson. A fight broke out, and during the chaos, tragedy struck—the mother of one of his friends, who was nearby, had a heart attack. Without thinking twice, Ranil and his friend rushed her to the hospital.
When they returned to the scene, things got worse. The police accused Ranil of stabbing the man. Even though the man’s injuries were not serious—he could walk to the police station himself to file a complaint—the police said Ranil was responsible. To make matters worse, none of Ranil’s friends stood up to defend him. The betrayal hurt deeply.
Ranil surrendered to the authorities and spent almost two months in jail, from August 17 to October 4, 2024. While inside, he felt overwhelmed and confused by everything that happened. But instead of losing hope, he joined Bible studies and Mass celebrations, finding comfort in prayer.
During his time in jail, Ranil made a promise to himself. He would never drink alcohol again. He wanted to live a better life and avoid bad decisions that could ruin his future.
Ranil is very thankful to PRESO Inc., an organization that helped him when he needed it the most. They paid for his bail and facilitated his early release, giving him another chance to be with his family and start over. Ranil thanked God for PRESO Inc., which became an instrument to help inmates like him who deserve a second chance.
Ranil, now 34, is focused on his family. As the breadwinner, he works hard to provide for his wife and three children. He wants to make sure they have enough food, can stay in school, and live together peacefully.
Ranil is currently working as an installer for Converge. He is determined to stay on the right path and never go back to the mistakes of his past. The incident was a harsh lesson for him—that one reckless moment can change everything. But it also showed him that with faith and determination, he can turn his life around.
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If you would like to support the PRESO Foundation in providing financial assistance to deserving PDLs, please reach out to the Foundation at 0906-822-1625. Alternatively, you may contact Ms. Nita Silva Mangaser or Sol Baltazar through their Facebook page or Messenger.
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