by Lily Gut March 30, 2021 Eileen Sarmenta, Allan Gomez, and Antonio Sanchez. (Pho...
March 30, 2021
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| Eileen Sarmenta, Allan Gomez, and Antonio Sanchez. (Photos from ABS-CBN News) |
Antonio Sanchez, the former mayor of Laguna, died on Saturday, March 27, according to Gabriel Chaclag, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Sanchez was discovered unresponsive in his cell at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) about 7:00 a.m., according to Chaclag.
“He was brought to the NBP Hospital by his cell mates and was attended to by medical staff. He was declared DOA and subject for autopsy as per procedure on sudden deaths,” the BuCor spokesman said in a statement.
Sanchez was last seen alive on Friday at 10:00 p.m., preparing to sleep, according to Chaclag. The former official was unresponsive when his cellmates woke him up in the morning.
“There is no sign of foul play. He had existing conditions such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension, recurring gastroenteritis, prostate problems and asthma,” Chaclag said, adding that Sanchez’ family has already been informed of his passing.
Chaclag, in a dzBB interview, said that the mayor had pre-existing conditions.
“Madami siyang dinaramdam sa katawan. Meron siyang chronic kidney disease, na ever since yun na po ang kanyang dinadaing, mayroon din po siyang hypertension, and for several times nagka-gastroenteritis na rin yan, at palaging chronic yung kanyang pneumonia, pabalik-balik,” Chaclag noted.
In the 1990s, Sanchez was found guilty of rape and killing two students. In 1995, he was sentenced to seven years in reclusion perpetua (or 40 years in prison) for the rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and her partner Allan Gomez.
Reports in 2019 that he could be released from prison early under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) caused anger among the public, including many senators.
Following the news of the accused mayor's murder, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra reported that Sanchez was also not eligible for release at the time of his death.
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