The remains of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio L. Sanchez, who was found unresponsive inside his detention cell at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and later pronounced dead at the prison hospital last March 27, have been turned over to his family.
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Deputy Director Gabriel P. Chaclag on Sunday, March 28, said Sanchez’s remains have not yet been autopsied and underwent testing first to determine if the former mayor had the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.
“Pina-post mortem swab muna nila yung bangkay (A post-mortem swab test was made on the body),” Chaclag said.
“If negative, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) will conduct autopsy. If positive, then cremation daw. That is the decision of his family (If it has no COVID-19, the NBI will conduct an autopsy. If it tested positive, it will be cremated. That is the decision of the family),” he said.
“He was last seen at 10 p.m. (March 26) still alive preparing to sleep. When his cell mates woke him up this morning (March 27), he was unresponsive. There is no sign of foul play. He had existing conditions such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension, recurring gastro enteritis, prostate problems and asthma,” Chaclag said when Sanchez’s death was announced.
Sanchez had been convicted of seven counts of rape with homicide in connection with the deaths of University of the Philippines (UP) Los Banos students Eileen Sarmenta and her boyfriend Allan Gomez in 1993.
He had also been convicted of two counts of murder for the 1991 killings of Nelson Penalosa and his son Rickson -- supporters of the political rival of Sanchez.
At the same time, he had been convicted of violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.