Director Jade Castro and his three companions have been freed
JADE CASTRO – The director and his three companions, who were accused of setting fire to a modernized jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon, on January 31, 2024, have been released from prison.
Castro, along with Ernesto Toriado Orcine, 50, a sales manager from Bacoor, Cavite; Noel Cervantes Mariano, 54, a civil engineer from Brgy. Tagpus, Binangonan, Rizal; and Dominic Valerio Ramos, 28, a civil engineer from Brgy. San Fernando, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, were freed from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Catanauan on Monday night, March 11. The four were arrested without a warrant by members of the Philippine National Police at Mi Casa Resort in Barangay Butanyog, Mulanay, Quezon, on February 1.
Judge Julius Franciz Galvez of Branch 96 of the Catanauan Regional Trial Court granted the release of the four accused after approving the motion to quash filed by Castro’s defense team, led by Attorney Michael Marpuri. Castro and his companions endured forty days in jail, maintaining their innocence throughout.
Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, human rights advocate Attorney Chel Diokno, and actor Cedrick Juan expressed joy at Castro’s release, with Carlos welcoming them back and thanking them for their strength during the ordeal. Diokno emphasized the need for continued vigilance, as the case was dismissed on technical grounds but could potentially be refiled.
Diokno received the news of Castro’s release from his brother Jasper Castro and expressed his happiness at their regained freedom. “Just learned from Jasper (Direk Jade Castro’s brother) that Jade, Ernesto, Noel, and Dominic are being released tonight. Overjoyed that they are finally regaining their freedom!” Diokno said.
Cedrick, on the other hand, expressed relief at the long-awaited release and hoped that those who made false accusations would be held accountable. “SA WAKAS! Mapanagot sana ang mga nagbigay ng maling paratang!” he noted.
Related Post: Film Director, 3 Others Arrested for Burning a Modern Jeepney in Quezon
