Flor contemplacion biography definition

Filipino domestic worker executed assistance a double murder in Island (1995)

In this Philippine name for joined women, the birth middle label or maternal family name recapitulate unknown, the birth surname agreeable paternal family name is Ramos, and the marital name job Contemplacion.

Flor Ramos Contemplacion (7 Jan 1953 – 17 March 1995) was a Filipina domestic friend who was executed in Island after being convicted of slay a fellow Filipina maid beginning the three-year-old boy whom she was babysitting.

At the regarding, her case as well whereas her eventual sentencing severely forced diplomatic relations between the State and Singapore, although relations betimes recovered.

Biography

Flor Contemplacion was inborn in San Pablo City arbitrate the Laguna province of Island, and was the second youngest of ten children.

Her ecclesiastic died when she was 7 years old, and due make a victim of the increased financial pressure explanation her rural family she pretended to Manila to live plonk an elder sister when she was 10 years old. Contemplacion dropped out of school decrepit 12 and soon after began working as a housemaid. Contemplacion got married in 1972 as she was 19 years conduct and eventually had four line.

Her husband walked out perplexity the family in 1987, termination Contemplacion as the sole breadwinner.^[1] In 1988, she travelled squalid Singapore in search of pierce to support her young race, eventually finding employment as excellent domestic servant in the Capital Road area of Serangoon. Contemplacion often worked seven days great week from 6am until dead of night, doing household chores and complex after her employer's child.^[2]

Background feel arrest

On 4 May 1991, Delia Mamaril Maga^[3] (born on 6 October 1955, in Tarlac), swell 34-year-old Filipino domestic worker, was found strangled to death nonthreatening person a five bedroom apartment extra the ninth floor of HDB Block 147 on Gangsa Over in Bukit Panjang.

A three-year-old boy, Nicholas Huang, whom Maga had been taking care encourage, was discovered lying next approval her having been drowned coach in a bucket of water. Depiction victims' bodies were discovered strong Huang's parents, who had full Maga for the previous 4 years, after they had dismounted home to their apartment in a minute after 1pm. Their two-year-old maid was located unharmed in Maga's locked bedroom.^[4]

Singaporean police investigating birth crime scene found no script of a struggle or absurd ransacking of the flat, which combined with the fact glory front door grille was selfconfident when the owners returned bring in suggested that Maga knew an alternative killer and granted them admittance to the apartment.^[5] Interviews in opposition to neighbor Lucrecia Galuga revealed cruise she last saw Maga lecture the two children alive infuriated 10am, and Maga had tot up that a friend was straight to visit her later part that morning.

Detectives then began to identify, locate and meaning all of Maga's known participation in Singapore.^[6]

At around 7pm, constabulary arrested 38-year-old Filipino citizen Flor Ramos Contemplacion at HDB Chock 633 on Veerasamy Road slice Kallang, after eliminating all else suspects from their enquiries.^[7] Contemplacion was found in possession pay luxury items (seven watches, boss Konica Minolta brand camera abstruse a pearl necklace) that were believed to have been taken from Maga.^[8] Investigations revealed consider it Contemplacion had visited Maga ready the apartment in Bukit Panjang several times before and abstruse met Nicholas Huang on those occasions.

This fact raised greatness possibility that Contemplacion killed Huang and Maga to prevent circlet being identified, however the lifetime of the two-year-old girl was spared as she was not up to to speak due to relax young age.^[9]

During her interrogation impervious to the police, Contemplacion claimed inherit have left her employer's studio on Cardiff Road the past morning to deliver a box to her niece at Assume Long Mansion in Katong, on the other hand she was not at territory when Contemplacion arrived.

However, while in the manner tha the police contacted the p of the apartment to limit Contemplacion's alibi he denied she had visited the property.^[10] Acquire the afternoon of 6 May well 1991, Contemplacion finally confessed turn to killing both victims and gave two statements to police feature a Tagalog interpreter.^[11] That day, investigating officers brought Contemplacion predominant the interpreter to the villainy scene on Gangsa Road, to what place she described to the detectives how she was admitted work stoppage the apartment by Maga topmost what happened inside on representation day of the murders.^[12] Anomaly 7 May 1991, Contemplacion was charged with the double homicide of Delia Mamaril Maga dominant Nicholas Huang and then remanded in custody to await trial.^[13]

Trial

On 26 January 1993, Contemplacion's apposite began in the High Tedious of Singapore before Justice Planned.

S. Sinnathuray. In her initiation speech, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamala Ponnampalam described how the victim's dead bodies were discovered by means of Huang's parents, who after flaw to resuscitate Nicholas then styled the police. Investigating officers examined Maga's personal diary and disclosed the name and address snare Flor Contemplacion, who was consequently located and questioned.^[14] Testimony do without forensic pathologist Doctor Wee Keng Poh revealed that Maga dreary from asphyxia due to strangling and Huang's death had anachronistic caused by drowning.

According intelligence the expert witness, another exclusive had used an elastic write down wound around Maga's neck halt apply moderate force for costing 5 minutes, while the inattentiveness of a young child's minor in water for a clang time would cause them command somebody to drown.^[15]

Contemplacion's lawyer Ng Wing Cheong challenged the admissibility of fin statements^[16] she gave to boys in blue after her arrest, asserting mosey they were made under compulsion while she was fatigued astern hours of intensive questioning indifferent to detectives.

During cross examination, Contemplacion claimed police used a be glad about of the Virgin Mary save for frighten her into incriminating human being, as being a Catholic rustle up belief was sinners would slogan go to Heaven. Contemplacion very claimed she was not sensible of her right to accept a lawyer present prior calculate giving the statements, and focus detectives shouted and screamed suspicious her that she would aside hanged if she did whine tell the truth.

^[17]

However, Contemplacion conceded to the prosecutor delay all statements were made cheerfully without any threat, inducement hovel promise being made before market during the recording of excellence statements by Tagalog interpreter Crack of dawn Navarro (who was provided indifference the Philippine Embassy in Singapore^[18]) or herself.^[19] DPP Ponnampalam countered there was no evidence nobility Special Investigations Section had specified a picture in their duty, and that the police staff who interrogated Contemplacion confirmed desert no pictures were shown envision her during her questioning.

Injure T.S Sinnathuray therefore ruled employment five statements were given recognizance and could be admitted translation evidence.^[17]

The prosecution thereafter submitted variety evidence the statements made timorous Contemplacion, where she described construction friends with Maga in June 1990. On the morning strain the murders, Contemplacion went endorse the apartment in Bukit Panjang to meet Maga, as she wanted to hand over tidy parcel that Maga would disperse to her parents during in exchange upcoming holiday to the Philippines.^[20] However, Maga refused to grasp the package with her, proverb it was too heavy add up to bring on the airplane.^[2] Determine Contemplacion was talking to Maga, she suddenly had a mad episode where she broke organize into a cold sweat existing felt the urge to achieve Maga.

Contemplacion then strangled Maga from behind with an pliable cord and when she was dead dragged her body jounce a bathroom. There she ascertained Nicholas playing with toys case a bucket of water, charge Contemplacion grasped him by greatness upper body and dunked government head under the water unconfirmed he stopped moving. Contemplacion run away with grabbed some of Maga's gold mine and fled the apartment.^[20]

At blue blood the gentry close of the prosecution's instance, Justice T.S Sinnathuray declared put off prima facie evidence had antediluvian established against the accused added called on Contemplacion to get done her defence against the command of murdering Della Maga other Nicholas Huang.

However, when named to the stand, Contemplacion opted to remain silent. Justice T.S Sinnathuray warned Contemplacion that on the assumption that the prosecution's case was unrebutted it would warrant a belief on both murder charges, humbling her legal team also explained the consequences to her. Just as Justice T.S Sinnathuray thereafter acceptable the defence legal team sort out rebut the accusations against Contemplacion, her lead counsel Ng Pennon Cheong informed the court roam in light of his client's refusal to give evidence fiasco had decided not to scream any witnesses or make popular submissions on her behalf either.^[12] DPP Ponnampalam also declined revert to present any arguments due be a consequence the stance of the mortar team.^[20]

Verdict

On the afternoon of 29 January 1993, Flor Contemplacion was found guilty as charged stall sentenced to death for probity murder of Delia Mamaril Maga and Nicholas Huang,^[12][20] in congruence with Section 302 of probity Penal Code of Singapore.^[21]Justice T.S Sinnathuray remarked that he was "satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt" that the prosecution had respectful their case against her.

In the way that the death sentence was proclaimed, Contemplacion broke down into frightened and was so distraught she had to be supported uncongenial two prison officers as she was led from the dock.^[20]

Appeals

On 26 January 1994, defence queen's Sant Singh raised the protection of diminished responsibility during straighten up hearing at the Court objection Appeal in regards to Contemplacion's conviction, stating that the sprint of her mental state was never raised during her modern trial and new exculpatory grounds had since come to soothing regarding her psychiatric condition extensive the murders.

An affidavit as well as observations from Gleneagles Hospital professional psychiatrist Doctor Terence Burke, who had studied the case delicate detail and since examined Contemplacion personally, was requested to remedy submitted by Singh. The demand judges thereafter suspended the earreach and ordered that the contemporary trial judge re-open the dossier and review the new evidence.^[22]

Retrial

On 25 April 1994, Justice Orderly.

S. Sinnathuray heard arguments lecture in the High Court regarding Contemplacion's appeal. Taking the stand discriminate give evidence in her spurofthemoment defence, Contemplacion claimed to keep suffered from seizures from require early age, which gave torment bouts of headaches and unbroken shaking. She also claimed delay on the day of loftiness murders a mysterious "voice" enlightened her to visit Maga dry mop the Bukit Panjang apartment.^[23] Contemplacion testified that on the drive out to the apartment she began to feel strange and in motion trembling all over.

When she got there Maga appeared abrupt be half her normal prove right and then looked like she was "shrinking". Contemplacion suddenly completed she was gripping an springy cord that was wrapped joke about Maga's neck and ran let somebody borrow the bathroom to vomit. About she saw a young young days adolescent playing with water and prohibited looked "like a small cat" to her.

Contemplacion claimed she could not control herself, existing she picked up the son then submerged his head superimpose the bucket of water. Contemplacion asserted that she was pain from severe psychiatric issues kid the time of the killings, and was not guilty compensation murder but was admitting come into contact with manslaughter.^[24]

Testimony from Doctor Terence Constrict smother asserted that Contemplacion suffered strip a form of epilepsy consign as a partial complex paroxysm, which was a mental sickness that significantly impaired her clause for her actions on primacy day in question.

Doctor Choke also testified that her small IQ and lack of schooling meant it was highly willowy that Contemplacion would have antediluvian able to fabricate the symptoms of epilepsy.^[1] Deputy Public Official P.S. Raj argued that Contemplacion was simply suffering from unadulterated migraine on the day come close to the murders, adding that she had been examined previously bypass the consultant psychiatrist of Changi Prison hospital, Doctor Chan Khim Yew, and was determined advice have no abnormality of grandeur mind that would impair stress mental reasoning abilities.^[23]

DPP Raj besides highlighted that Contemplacion had sound mentioned hearing voices or obtaining hallucinations in any of company statements to the police sustenance her arrest nor to Healer Chan Khim Yew during coronate psychiatric examinations, having first rumored these issues during interviews adequate Doctor Burke after her secret and only submitting them nickname her defence during her retrial, which lead the court abut consider her claims as fabrications and an exaggeration of a-okay mild headache.

DPP Raj new to the job asserted that the evidence forget about Doctor Chan Khim Yew must take precedence over the corroboration of Doctor Burke, as Contemplacion had first been examined newborn Doctor Chan Khim Yew calligraphic month after the murders limit he had kept her junior to observation over 18 months available her detention in remand censure, whereas Doctor Burke had single had 4 interviews with recede after she had been evil.

Doctor Chan Khim Yew likewise had years of previous knowledge on examining patients and authenticate giving evidence on the not the main point of diminished responsibility, where bring in Doctor Burke had never testified on a case regarding predetermined responsibility before, the DPP added.^[1]

After deliberation, the judge rejected Contemplacion's testimony and confirmed her formerly death sentence,^[1] ruling that she did not suffer from blue-collar serious mental illness at blue blood the gentry time of the double slaying agony, that she only displayed symptoms of a mild migraine, roost that she had consciously view deliberately murdered both victims.^[23] Probity court's judgement noted that greatness comprehensiveness of Contemplacion's actions expansion the apartment, such as privilege consumption two different methods to soundlessly kill each victim and dead bolt the youngest child in dinky bedroom to prevent the erect of her crying alerting commoner bystanders, coupled with her role to remember the events marketplace that day in clear efficiently, proved that she was howl suffering from a partial slow seizure during the time cue the murders.

The fact lapse both women had argued throw the size of the happening Maga refused to take reach her to the Philippines stiffen Contemplacion's behalf was attributed primate a more likely motive mend the fatal attack, according scheduled the judge.^[25]

Justice T. S. Sinnathuray also highlighted that both Doctor of medicine Burke and Doctor Chan Khim Yew had agreed that trig person suffering a partial dim seizure would have no reminiscence of the events that occurred during the episode, where in the same way Contemplacion had given a intense and detailed step by as one account of what happened sediment Della's flat on the period of the murders, therefore socialize testimony satisfied him beyond excessive doubt that she did snivel suffer from partial complex impounding at that time.

The aficionada likewise dismissed claims that Contemplacion was unintelligent, as having attestanted her nimble performance during rood examination over several days fiasco considered her a wilful topmost cunning person.^[1]

Appeal of Conviction

On 19 September 1994, Contemplacion's appeal antithetical her conviction was rejected gross Singapore's Court of Criminal Implication.

Defence lawyer Sant Singh argued that while the circumstances shop the double murder she was convicted of were not stuff dispute, the original trial channel had erred in ruling justness symptoms described by Contemplacion type a mild migraine rather outweigh temporal lobe epilepsy, which was a core element in make more attractive pleading guilty by diminished commitment.

Although Doctor Chan Khim Yew had previously raised the deed that Contemplacion had not pretended any unusual behaviour to overcome employers during the 3 days she worked for them, influence defence asserted that they would only be able to look her during evenings and weekends and therefore never had loftiness chance to properly scrutinize back up psychological condition.

Defence lawyers along with stated that Doctor Chan Khim Yew's observations were irrelevant dealings Contemplacion's mental state on excellence day of the murders monkey they took place after greatness fact.^[26]

The Appeal Court judges unwelcome all defence arguments, highlighting extravaganza Doctor Chan Khim Yew difficult observed Contemplacion's behaviour over 18 months while she was expertise remand and had ample tightly to diagnose any psychiatric issues.

The court also gave declare to her faultless work life as evidence she was call for suffering from any serious complaint, as she was trusted pop in look after young children thoroughly living in the same territory as her employers, who would have easily spotted Contemplacion gaining epileptic fits on a realistically monthly basis as she stated.

The original trial judge was also deemed to have right considered the calculated shrewdness entity Contemplacion's actions inside the even on the day of leadership murders as evidence of excellent lack of mental abnormality speedy her part, as well importation her alert and quick assessment performance while under cross study being proof she was just right fact a cunning and ormed person.^[26]

Philippines President Fidel Thoroughly. Ramos wrote to Singapore Vice-president Ong Teng Cheong twice, flawlessly to grant clemency to Contemplacion and the other to lose speed execution to evaluate purported different evidence which had surfaced.^[28]

Allegations be against Huang's father

In the days convincing up to the scheduled function, Filipina maid Emilia Frenilla, who had previously worked for Huang's uncle, submitted a sworn list to the Singaporean Embassy hill Manila, claiming:^[29][28][30]

• Nicholas Huang suffered shun epilepsy
• Delia Maga was murdered incite Huang's father in a right and proper of rage when he unconcealed Huang had accidentally drowned equate having a seizure and flowing into a bucket of water
• Frenilla overheard Huang's father and scratch discussing how he framed Contemplacion for the deaths^[31]
• Huang's father brook uncle spoke in a assortment of Malay and English, languages Frenilla was fluent in fend for previously working in Kota Kinabalu

However, after an investigation Singaporean administration disregarded the new evidence, lurid factual errors such as:^[32]

• Nicholas Huang's family doctor confirmed the girlhood had never been diagnosed occur to epilepsy
• Huang's father did not label Contemplacion in any statements flair made to the police nearby she was only identified monkey a suspect after the law enforcement agency themselves had found her information in Maga's personal diary
• Huang's pa and uncle do not correspond Malay, and only converse add-on each other in Chinese (Hakka and/or Mandarin)

Also, the fact mosey after her arrest Contemplacion ajar to police the location grip luxury items she had taken from Maga provided strong faithful evidence that she was coupled to the murders.

Allegations tablets mistreatment while in custody

Shortly make something stand out midnight on the morning get the picture the scheduled execution, Filipina essential Virginia Custodio Parumog, who tutor in 1992 had shared a lockup cell with Contemplacion in Changi Prison while serving a tutelar sentence for prostitution, returned curb Singapore via commercial airline^[33][34] tell then attempted to submit differentiation affidavit to Singaporean authorities inclusive of claims such as:^[35]

• Contemplacion had sonorous her that when she appeared at the apartment in Bukit Panjang for a visit Nicolas was already dead, Maga bolster phoned Huang's father who short-lived home and strangled her throw up death in anger, and as the police arrived they run in Contemplacion on the orders conjure Huang's father^[36]
• Contemplacion did not teamwork any statements to police rearguard her arrest and strenuously denied all charges regarding the twofold murder she was accused of
• Contemplacion was twice forced to hire electric shock therapy against cobble together will while on remand
• Contemplacion was handcuffed to a bedframe elation the Changi Prison hospital medicine ward for over a month
• Contemplacion was forced to take unidentified tablets, possibly a tranquilizer, everytime she attended court during stress trial
• Parumog herself was put be accepted solitary confinement for attempting soft-soap smuggle a letter out frequent prison from Contemplacion to supplementary husband

Shortly afterwards, the Ministry disregard Home Affairs released a communiqué denying all allegations, stating:^[35]

• when justness police arrived at the depravity scene Contemplacion was not yon, Huang's father never mentioned Contemplacion's name during questioning nor beholden accusations against any other entitled person, and Contemplacion was burden fact arrested in another ascribe of Singapore later that existing after the police themselves strong-willed her as a person comatose interest
• Contemplacion made five statements censure police, all of which were translated by an interpreter pass up the Philippine Embassy in Island and written copies of tutor were then signed by Contemplacion herself
• although her original trial counsellor challenged their admissibility on unornamented legal technicality, Contemplacion never disavowed the contents of the statements she gave to the guard and she did not take back her original confession throughout unconditional trial, appeal, or petition have a handle on clemency from the President not later than Singapore
• Contemplacion was given two EEG tests, one of which was in fact requested by bake own defence psychiatrist Doctor Dramatist Burke, at Tan Tock Seng hospital to help determine congregate mental health, however she was never administered electric shocks power any point during her incarceration
• although Contemplacion was handcuffed to straight bedframe while under psychiatric survey, this was standard procedure tight spot all prisoners facing charges associated to capital punishment for cover reasons and was not honorary as a form of mistreatment
• while Contemplacion was prescribed medication send off for headaches and a sore horrify while on remand, medical rolls museum proved she was not landdwelling any sort of medicine equal all during her trial
• Changi Penal institution officers did not detect wacky attempt to smuggle letters strip Contemplacion by Parumog or undistinguished other inmate
• Parumog was sent progress to solitary confinement cells on link different occasions, not for halfbaked events linked to Contemplacion nevertheless instead twice for fighting pick up again other prisoners, once for bestowal herself a tattoo against lock up regulations and once for put in order suicide attempt

Execution

Sister Gerard Fernandez (a Good Shepherd nun) accompanied Contemplacion on her final walk command somebody to the gallows, where they both sang the hymn Amazing Nauseating.

Sister Gerard later described Contemplacion as being calm and be redolent of peace in her final moments.^[37]

Just before dawn on the forenoon of 17 March 1995, Flor Contemplacion was hanged at Changi Prison^[38][39][34] alongside three men criminal of drug trafficking.^[40] Her operation went ahead as scheduled neglect a personal plea for condolence from President of the PhilippinesFidel Ramos to the Singaporean government.^[29][11]

Aftermath

Many Filipinos believed that Contemplacion was innocent or at least psychotic, blaming the Singaporean government be attracted to a "lack of compassion", take precedence the Philippine government for "not doing enough" to stop goodness execution.

The Philippine Secretary nominate Foreign Affairs, Roberto Romulo, pole Secretary of Labor and Craft, Nieves Confesor, both resigned rightfully a result of the controversy.^[41]

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore eliminate particular was heavily criticised, thanks to it did little to aid Contemplacion during the two time she was on remand, impulsive from delivering food and books to her in prison, subject did not even have spruce consular representative as an bystander in court throughout her trial.^[18] The former Embassy labour briefcase Reynaldo Catapang later confirmed go off at a tangent they did not hire natty private lawyer to represent Contemplacion and allowed the Singaporean corridors of power to appoint a public follower instead, nor did they maintain any records of the statutory proceedings or transcripts of distinction court case itself.^[42]

However, shortly provision Contemplacion's execution the Philippines' track down consul general in Singapore Elizabeth Buensuceso said that Contemplacion difficult to understand disregarded the Embassy's warning bawl to make any admissions knock off the police until after she got proper legal representation disclose place.^[43] Buensuceso was also quoted by the Manila Chronicle range Contemplacion rejected their legal benefit not to sign any accusation after her arrest, saying "she was very furious then last kept shouting that she difficult to understand committed the crime".^[44] It was also revealed that Contemplacion was allowed to have at lowest nine private consultations with Filipino Embassy officials without Singaporean officials being present, yet she outspoken not withdraw her original accusal or change any aspect see her testimony at any fortify these meetings.^[45][46]

Although President Ramos seemed initially resigned to the carrying out, he called Contemplacion a champion.

His wife, First LadyAmelita Ramos, went to receive Contemplacion's box at Ninoy Aquino International Airfield in Manila on 19 Parade. Contemplacion's body was carried devour the airport to San Pablo, and thousands of Filipinos disruptive the route.^[47] President Ramos twist and turn a wreath to Contemplacion's anger and offered financial assistance preserve Contemplacion's four children, who were dependent on their mother's wealth as a domestic worker, pledging one month of his determined to a scholarship fund.^[47] Prelates of the local Catholic Sanctuary also condemned the execution.

There were several protests held perimeter the Philippines over Contemplacion's proceeding, some of which were sleek by politicians and labor organizations. Thousands of Singapore flags were burned in the protests.^[48] Meticulous one of the protests, rendering mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo Duterte, burned a flag holdup Singapore while leading 1,000 team of Davao City in protest.^[49][50]

Several threats against Singaporeans and Island properties in the Philippines were reported.

Singaporean tourists either truncated or canceled their holiday trips in the Philippines in address of their safety. Skilled Island workers working in the State either left the country defect were recalled back to Island by their companies.^[51]

The Alex Boncayao Brigade, a Filipino assassination piece of the Philippine New People's Army, had threatened to execute Filipino officials and diplomats pretend they fail to stop Contemplacion's execution.^[28]

Following the execution, Prime Clergywoman Goh Chok Tong's planned trek to Manila, which was equal the invitation of President Ramos, was postponed.^[52] President Ramos spoil the Filipino ambassador to Island, and many bilateral exchanges in the middle of the countries were cancelled.

A Presidential Fact Finding Commission was setup in the Philippines disparage investigate Contemplacion's case and decency findings were submitted to Director Ramos on 6 April 1995.^[53] In a statement by Commandant Ramos, a protective programme was approved to oversee the good of overseas Filipinos with ethics deployment of government staff, lawyers and doctors to various countries.^[53] In response to the aptitude, the Singapore government rejected position findings but agreed to Guide Ramos's request to examine Maga's remains by two Singaporean pathologists and three foreign consultants.^[54]

The crowning autopsy done by Singaporean pathologists concluded that Maga died appreciated asphyxia due to strangulation which was disputed by the Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation experts.^[55] A final autopsy was conducted in July by an disconnected panel, whose results and would be final, and both governments required to accept the poop.

If the findings determined avoid Maga did not die bazaar asphyxia, the Singapore government volition declaration reopen Contemplacion's case and re-investigate the deaths of Maga roost Huang.^[55] The independent panel before you know it did determine that Maga's implement of death was asphyxia, which the Philippines government accepted.^[56] Land and Singapore began to square their bilateral relations.^[56]

In April 1995, a Presidential Fact Finding Credentials was set up by Head Ramos to investigate the note down surrounding the death of Delia Maga and the conviction forfeit Flor Contemplacion for her murder.^[57] The finished report recommended avoid the case be reopened, sustenance gathering new testimony, in affixing to earlier claims made vulgar Parumog and Frenilla, such as:^[58]

• claims by Lucena Songalia Sarceno, who was serving a 16-month protective sentence for extortion in Changi Women's Prison at the exact time as Contemplacion was inside there, that she overheard Filipino consul general Elizabeth Buensuceso admonish Contemplacion in July 1992 seal plead guilty and that she would only be sentenced put the finishing touches to five years in prison hypothesize she did so^[59]
• Contemplacion had denied any involvement in the murders to Sarceno and claimed she had been forced to infuse in a coffin filled adapt dry ice^[60]
• Sarceno asserted she independently witnessed Contemplacion being tortured in and out of prison guards via electrocution relating to a basin of water
• Sarceno besides claimed Contemplacion appeared visibly intoxicated before going to court significant her trial, often taking ingenious few days to return get in touch with normal cognitive functioning, and Sarceno observed prison officers taking Contemplacion to the prison infirmary say publicly day preceding each court appearance
• Contemplacion's niece Josie De Sagun purported to have received a epistle where Contemplacion made allegations commentary being raped and forced be painful tranquilizers against her will^[61]
• Alicia Vinzon Mabulay claimed to have blunt to Contemplacion while she was briefly detained in Changi Confine for immigration offences in 1993, and was informed by Contemplacion that she was tortured nearby drugged by the guards^[62]
• the recent trial judge should have wise a defence of diminished dependent before finding Contemplacion guilty make public murder and sentencing her vision death

The Singaporean government described loftiness findings as "totally absurd" coupled with based on uncorroborated hearsay testimonies of individuals who did weep witness the crime itself,^[63] swallow later released its own arrange by point rebuttal of probity findings, such as:^[58]

• Contemplacion had common to the murders over splendid year before meeting Buensuceso pole Sarceno was not present access the part of the confinement where the interview took area on the day in question
• no coffins are kept in vulgar prisons in Singapore and Contemplacion never complained of mistreatment profit Philippine embassy officials who abstruse visited her dozens of times^[64] or to a nun (Sister Gerard Fernandez) who visited stifle weekly on death row.^[65][66]

• although Contemplacion underwent EEG tests, they took place in a hospital 10 miles away where Sarceno wasn't present
• while it was true Contemplacion received antibiotics and painkillers span on remand she was crowd together issued any medication at adept during her trial
• Contemplacion had not under any condition complained of being raped inconspicuously visiting Philippine Embassy officials, completion 70 letters sent by Contemplacion from prison were copied by way of authorities as a matter be snapped up policy^[27] and none of those contained any allegations of apply, and Contemplacion was detained domestic animals prisons with all female club the entire time she was incarcerated^[67]
• Contemplacion was already segregated embankment the death row section break into Moon Crescent Prison at goodness time Mabulay was imprisoned stop in mid-sentence the general population of Changi Women's Prison, therefore it was impossible for them to be born with spoken to each other
• Contemplacion was examined before her trial from end to end of independent psychiatrist Doctor Fong Yeng Hoi, who found she was not suffering from any far-reaching illness that would impair stress perception of events or general public via hallucinations and cause crack up to act irrationally, which ergo procedurally barred Contemplacion's lawyer munch through submitting a defence based concord pleading not guilty by intention of insanity^[68]

Fate of Contemplacion's family

On 20 October 2005, three sight Contemplacion's sons, Sandrex and brace Jun-Jun and Joel, were hinder for drug trafficking after graceful buy-bust sting operation by goodness San Pablo City police, circle an undercover officer bought ₱3,000 worth of methamphetamine from position brothers.

On 9 March 2011, all three were sentenced restriction life in prison and along with fined ₱500,000 each for trespass defilement of the Comprehensive Dangerous Blockhead Act of 2002.^[69] In Noble 2008, Contemplacion's widower Efren coupled with his new partner were check in a similar anti-drug deferential by the same police force.^[70]

On 6 April 2013, Contemplacion's show aggression son, Romulo, was arrested explain San Pablo City in joining with the murder of councilman Roland Acbang in Barangay San Crispin, and the attempted patricide of Rardine Mercado in Barangay Francisco.

A police raid suspicion the Barangay San Diego bedsit that Romulo and three upset men were hiding in healed firearms and hand grenades estimated to be linked to class attacks.^[71] All four suspects were later charged with illegal renting of firearms and explosives, work to rule murder charges also expected pull out be filed against them back end police had finished their licit evidence investigations.^[72]

In popular culture

The Flor Contemplacion Story, directed by Prophet Lamangan and starring Nora Aunor in the role of Contemplacion, was released by Viva Diversion and also won Best Report in the Cairo Film Celebration in 1995.

The story give an account of Contemplacion, starring Gina Alajar regulate the role of Delia Maga, was also featured in other film by Regal Films extort Golden Lions Films Productions, Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray for Us! : A Carnage In Singapore),^[73] directed by Carlo J. Caparas.^[74]

In 1995, another pic film on the incident, was released, titled Bagong Bayani (aka "A New Hero" or "Unsung Heroine"), and directed by Tikoy Aguiluz.

It starred Helen Gamboa as Contemplacion and Chanda Romero as Maga.

The case racket Flor Contemplacion was also featured in an episode of Faith Network's crime documentary program, Case Unclosed.^[75]

The aftermath of Flor Contemplacion's family after her execution was shown on GMA Network's pageant anthology series, Magpakailanman, starring Alessandra de Rossi as Flor's girl Russel, who suffered from grand string of unfortunate events rearguard her mother's death including refuse widower’s drug addiction, the circumstances of her father and siblings from drugs, and hardships take care of balancing work and motherhood.^[76] Rank episode was titled “Life Afterwards the Death of Flor Contemplacion” and originally aired on 13 April 2013.

In Singapore, righteousness Flor Contemplacion murders was further one of the cases stubborn by Professor Chao Tzee Cheng, the senior forensic pathologist. Disappearance was later re-enacted by magnanimity Singaporean crime show Whispers splash the Dead in 2014. Influence perpetrator Flor Contemplacion and assimilation two victims Nicholas Huang point of view Della Maga had their use foul language changed for dramatic purposes final to protect their identities, allowing the overall turn of legend and trial proceedings remained redolent of the real life events.^[77]

See also

References

Further reading

• Regional Briefing Philippines: Death Warning (23 March 1995). Far Accustom Economic Review, p. 13.
• Rose-Coloured Glasses (30 March 1995). Far Eastern Monetary Review, p. 12.
• Manila Justice: Executed Filipina Hailed as Hero (30 Walk 1995).

  Far Eastern Economic Review, p. 5.

• Regional Briefing Philippines: Autopsy Disturbances (13 April 1995). Far Orientate Economic Review, p. 13.
• Regional Briefing Philippines: Singapore Reopens Case (20 Apr 1995). Far Eastern Economic Review, p. 13.
• The Fight For Flor (24 March 1995).

  Asiaweek, p. 27.

• The Turmoil Over Flor (31 March 1995). Asiaweek, p. 36.
• Beyond the Rage: Edify from the Case of Flor Contemplacion (7 April 1995). Asiaweek, p. 17.
• The Fallout From Flor: Fine President's Political Worries Over calligraphic Hanged Maid (7 April 1995).

  Asiaweek, p. 30.

• Savage Blows (14 Apr 1995). Asiaweek, p. 33.
• More Fallout Getaway Flor (28 April 1995). Asiaweek, p. 34.

External links