Here's another story of hope, resilience, and restoration. Thanks to PRESO Inc., a man who was recently acquitted and released got a temporary home and essentials to recover from poor health. Now, he's ready for a fresh start.
Stories of Resilience, Hope and Restoration
Who would've imagined that burning some "tapa" could land a humble man in jail for a year? Nanding Ledo (his real name), a native of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, was falsely accused of theft merely because he took a brief bathroom break. According to him, it was unfortunate that during his absence, his assistant, who was tasked with overseeing the cooking, neglected his duty.
Nanding, a high school graduate, dedicated over 15 years of his life as a cook in a known tapsilugan in Caloocan. Despite the eatery's growth and success, the owner neglected to fulfill Nanding's SSS contributions, which should have commenced when he was just 21 years old. This failure denied Nanding a basic entitlement, leading to his persistent inquiries to the owner and ultimately straining their relationship with mutual resentment.
So, when the five kilos of "tapa" burned, Nanding claims it was the owner's ploy to evade his responsibilities and accused him of qualified theft. Consequently, he found himself incarcerated in June 2022.
Nanding claims that all those years, he did not have any problems with his coworkers and that he did not in anyway caused trouble in the community.
In jail, Nanding's health steadily declined, necessitating prolonged medication for his recovery. Isolated for much of his time, he found it quite difficult to actively engage in the jail's activities.
After a year, in September 2023, Nanding was finally acquitted of the charge against him. However, his release was delayed by an additional five months due to administrative inefficiencies within the jail. Overwhelmed by other responsibilities, prison events and holiday festivities, the processing of his release papers languished. It was not until January 2024 that he was finally granted his freedom.
PRESO Inc., an organization dedicated to assisting first-time and impoverished low-risk offenders, stepped in to support Nanding. Through their efforts, a compassionate volunteer Tatay Gerry,—a key partner of PRESO Inc. in its mission—welcomed him into his home. Acting as a father figure to released individuals, Tatay Gerry provided Nanding with shelter and essential amenities as he continued his journey towards full recovery.
Nanding is alone in life. His wife has returned home to Mindanao, and tragically, their only child perished in a fire. Despite facing tragedy and losing his child, Nanding stays strong. He shares his sad story with a trembling voice but is determined to move on. He wants to work as a cook in a restaurant, possibly another tapsilugan, a job he enjoys. Recently, he got new dentures and a haircut.
Thanks to PRESO. Thanks to Tatay Gerry. Nanding Ledo is now more than willing to start anew- with much HOPE.
If you wish to help Nanding build his new life and livelihood, please reach-out to PRESO Inc. at https://www.presocbb.org/support-us or visit our Facebook Page.
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