The Supreme Court raised the life sentences of Francisco...

The Supreme Court raised the life sentences of Francisco Juan Larranaga, Josman Aznar, Rowen Adlawan, Alberto Cano, Ariel Balansag and James Andrew Uy to capital punishment. They had all been convicted in the kidnapping, rape and homicide of college beauty queen Marijoy Chiong. "At times we may show compassion and mercy but not at the expense of the broader interest of fair play and justice. While we also find it difficult to mete out the penalty of death especially on young men who could have led productive and promising lives if only they were given enough guidance, however, we can never go against what is laid down in our statute books and established jurisprudence," the High Court said. The six were also found guilty of the kidnapping and illegal detention of Marijoy's sister, Jacqueline, whose body had not been found to date. "What she and what further crimes were inflicted upon her remain unknown and unsolved up to the present," the Court said. The Regional Trial Court of Cebu City had originally sentenced the convicts on May 5, 1999 to the penalty of "two reclusiones perpetua" for the crimes.