"Every day I wake up and pray that today will be the day I get my brother back. With your support, and the support of thousands of people like you, I know that my prayer will be answered and my brother will be allowed home." - Mimi Larranaga, Paco's older sister.

Francisco Juan (Paco) Larrañaga has spent 15 years in prison, the last 3 in Spain, for a double murder in the Philippines that he cannot have committed.

Paco was convicted in 1999 of the kidnap of the Chiong sisters in Cebu and given two life sentences, despite the fact that he had 35 witnesses, college records and photos placing him miles away on a separate island in Manila at the time. In 2004, the Philippine Supreme Court somehow found him additionally guilty of their rape and murder, despite the fact that his first trial was filled with well-documented violations of national and international law which were never addressed during the long appeal process.

With Paco’s case having already gone to the Supreme Court, the legal channels in the Philippines appear to be exhausted. However there is one final hope, which lies directly in the hands of President Aquino of the Philippines.

According to the Constitution the President holds the right, in circumstances he feels exceptional, to grant Executive Clemency and Absolute Pardon. We believe imprisoning an innocent man on a life sentence is indeed exceptional – so please sign our petition and join us in asking President Aquino to Free Paco Now.

Thank you.

To find out more about Paco's case please visit www.freepaconow.com.
An award winning PBS and BBC documentary has been made about this injustice "Give Up Tomorrow" - see www.GiveUpTomorrow.com for more information.

Español