(Stories of Hope, Resiliency and Restoration - English)
Two years after being released from Valenzuela City Jail on bail—and later placed on probation following a guilty verdict—Lenie (real name), now 44, continues to struggle with the stigma of being a former Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL). Despite still serving their sentence through probation and paying for the crime—which they firmly insist they did not commit—she and her sister, who were accused of deceit and ultimately found guilty by the court, continue to be unfairly labeled as scammers.
According to PRESO Inc., Lenie and her sister admitted guilt not because they were guilty, but because they had no other choice. Pleading guilty was the only way to expedite the litigation process and qualify for probation, allowing them to regain their freedom sooner.
In January 2023, Lenie faced one of the darkest times of her life. Her father, a retired policeman, had just passed away, and her 15-year-old son, who has a disability, went missing. He suffered from chronic nasal congestion that affected his eyes, eventually developing into cataracts. Due to his health condition, he often felt restless and wanted to go outside to ease his irritability. One day, he slipped away and never came back.
Desperate to find her son, Lenie posted on Facebook, asking for help and sharing her contact details—unaware that this innocent plea would lead to a harrowing ordeal. While still searching, she and her sister traveled from Laguna, where they lived, to Valenzuela to visit an aunt who was expecting them—a family tradition, especially since her father had just passed away. They also heard some news suggesting that her son might be in Valenzuela.
While in Valenzuela, Lenie received a call from someone who introduced herself as Sol Aragones, a well-known public figure in Laguna. The caller claimed she would send cash to help find Lenie’s son and instructed her to go to a store with a GCash facility. Lenie was told to ask the owner to send ₱15,000 twice (a total of ₱30,000) to a specific number. Vulnerable and desperate, Lenie followed the instructions, only realizing later that she might have been hypnotized. At that time, she was penniless—her father had just passed away, her son was missing, and her husband was only a casual welder. In her helplessness, she believed the caller’s promise.
The GCash facility owner later discovered it was a scam and accused Lenie and her sister of being the scammers. The police were called, and without conducting any investigation, they were taken to the precinct and then to a detention center, where they were labeled as scammers.
Eventually, they were transferred to the City Jail. Despite the harsh conditions, Lenie remained thankful that her fellow PDLs were kind, and the warden treated them with compassion, almost like a mother figure. To make the most of her time inside, Lenie participated in all religious and livelihood activities.
One day, Lenie’s case caught the attention of PRESO Inc., an organization dedicated to helping PDLs. They thoroughly examined her case to see if early release and bail were possible. PRESO Inc. handled the paperwork, paid for the bail, and later applied for probation after the court found Lenie and her sister guilty of the crime. During the investigation, the police found no past records and concluded that Lenie and her sister came from a respectable family background.
Grateful for the assistance, Lenie expressed her deepest appreciation to PRESO Inc., saying that without their intervention, she might still be in jail. She prays that more deserving PDLs will also receive help from PRESO Inc., especially those who, like her, are innocent but ended up in prison.
Despite being convicted, Lenie holds her head high, proud of her innocence. She firmly believes she is a victim of an unjust system, pointing out that the police failed to properly investigate the case and did not find the real scammer or present any evidence that could clear their names. Lenie and her sister endured the hardships of being poor, having no connections, and, worst of all, being imprisoned and burdened by the stigma that followed.
After her two-month imprisonment, Lenie found a job as a cleaner and caretaker at a condominium residence near the Mall of Asia, earning ₱8,000 a month with free food and accommodations. Although the salary is not enough to support her family, she works tirelessly to improve their situation. One of the conditions of her probation is to regularly report to the court and repay the scammed amount to the GCash facility owner at ₱1,000 per month.
She has already settled her own obligations and continues to pay for her sister’s share since her sister is currently unemployed.
Amidst all the hardships, a glimmer of hope came when Lenie’s missing son was finally found under the care of Bahay Kalinga in Valenzuela—during her time of incarceration. This news was both a relief and a blessing amid the chaos she endured.
Lenie’s children are scattered across different locations. Her eldest is in Zamboanga, her son with a disability is now staying in Bicol, and her three youngest children are in Laguna. This separation weighs heavily on her heart, but she draws strength from the thought of being reunited with them someday.
"Pasan ko ang daigdig, pero hindi ako padadaig," Lenie says. She no longer minds the stigma because she knows her own truth and remains steadfast in her belief that she and her sister are innocent. Though she still cannot return to Laguna due to the pending probation, Lenie is determined to eventually go home, gather her children, embrace them tightly, and work hard for their future.
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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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