MANILA, Philippines--Fraternity brothers of the University of the Philippines law student who along with his girlfriend was slain by hired killers in 1989 have asked President Macapagal-Arroyo to reconsider her order decreasing the jail term of the convicted mastermind.

In a recent joint statement, the Upsilon Sigma Phi and the fraternity’s alumni association said the commutation of the double-life term of Rodolfo Manalili would allow his release in a few years and threaten the safety of witnesses against him.

Manalili, who was sentenced to two life terms, had his sentence cut short with Ms Arroyo’s commutation of his sentence two weeks ago.

The groups condemned the commutation of Manalili’s sentence, comparing it with those of other prisoners perceived to have money and influence, such as murder convict Claudio Teehankee, Jr. and convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos, Jr.

“Was it because Manalili is from Pampanga, where President Arroyo hails? Was it because Manalili’s family is moneyed and the 2010 elections are near?” the fraternity and its alumni association said.

“Is the commutation of Manalili’s sentence connected with the commutations of the sentences of other rich heinous crime convicts like Claudio Teehankee, Jr. or wealthy child rapist Romeo Jalosjos? Who will the President free next –Mayor Sanchez?” it added referring to Calauan, Laguna, Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of also rape and double murder.

Sanchez has been in prison for the murders of UP Los Baños students Allan Gomez and Aileen Sarmenta. Gomez incidentally is also a member of the Upsilon fraternity.

The joint statement said the commutation of Manalili’s sentence sent the message that law-abiding citizens were not and would not be secure in the Philippines.

The statement was signed by fraternity heads JR Dela Cruz of UP Diliman and Jupiter Nunez of UP Los Baños, alumni association president Jacinto Puno and its North America alumni president Noel Cruz.

“We therefore appeal to President Arroyo to reconsider this travesty of justice. Setting free criminals like Manalili and his ilk sends a chilling message to law abiding citizens of this country—we can never feel safe,” the statement read.

“(It) gives hope to the criminals of this country—go ahead, commit a heinous crime, and get away with it. But if you do get caught, don’t worry. You can always get executive clemency for as long as you know people in the Board of Pardons and Parole and Malacañang,” it added.

Manalili was found by a Quezon City regional trial court of having ordered the murder of UP law student Cochise Bernabe and his girlfriend, UP mass communication student Beebom Castaños.

“Cutting short Manalili’s double life sentence for the kidnapping and murder of Cochise and Beebom will allow him to roam the streets within the next three years, thus exposing to serious danger the lives of the witnesses who testified against him,” the fraternity said.

“To the relatives of Cochise and Beebom, and to the public at large, the double life sentence was lean enough. Comes now President Arroyo who, probably having been misled by officials of the Board of Pardons and Parole, lessens the penalty to a ridiculous pittance of time in prison,” it added.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who joined the fraternity in the same year Bernabe did, earlier came up with a statement criticizing Manalili’s reprieve.

Other members of the fraternity in Congress include Senators Richard Gordon and Joker Arroyo, House Deputy Majority Leaders Jesus Crispin Remulla and Roman Romulo, Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.