A Mother's Grief Weaponized via Trial by Publicity

Who can remember the tragedy that happened on July 16, 1997? It was a night when the Chiong sisters, the late Jacqueline Jimenea Chiong and the late Marijoy Chiong, disappeared and were never seen again. It's 2026, and there's the right to doubt the narrative of Davidson V. Rusia. Solita "Winnie" Collas-Monsod even mentioned in Give Up Tomorrow that if the body wasn't the girl then the whole story collapses. Now, it's time to focus on whom the filmmakers Marty Syjuco and Michael Collins called as the first and foremost victim. We have none other than Thelma Jimenea-Chiong. Sadly, her husband Dionisio Chiong died during the pandemic in his sleep without even knowing who really murdered their two daughters. It's a tragedy that exploded on several sides.

There were no questions asked that the Chiong parents worried about their daughters not returning home. The daughters weren't known to go home late. The last known information was that they were at Ayala Center, Cebu. Jacqueline worked for the Global Village in Ayala Center Cebu in 1997. The supervisor, Sheila Singson, was even interrogated by the NBI at that time. Atty. Florencio Villarin went to Ayala to check. Sheila never mentioned or identified anyone. However, during the 1998 trial, Sheila eventually pointed out that she had seen Paco when she originally told the Atty. Villarin said that she couldn't identify anyone. Right now, that cartographic sketch may not even surface to tell us who the real abductor was! They went to the police station hoping to find a lead. 

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Two days after the two sisters disappeared, a body was found at Tan-awan, Carcar. Some say it's Marijoy, while others argue it may not be her. This begs the question, why wasn't the body even given a DNA test? A simple DNA test would've verified that, "Yes, the body is Marijoy!" Further autopsy would've been beneficial to erase all doubts. I decided to watch Case Unclosed episodes of the Chiong Sisters' Case. Unlike Give Up Tomorrow, we get to see Marlyn Uy, the mother of James Anthony Uy and James Andrew Uy, who were also among the Chiong 7. Marlyn admitted that her sons never knew Paco nor Josman Aznar. The episode also featured Mrs. Chiong, who didn't identify the body. Mrs. Chiong even said, "That's not my daughter. If you want the body, keep it!" It was because someone told her that the body was indeed Marijoy. Mrs. Chiong may have accepted the police findings for peace of mind, and even gave the body a decent burial. However, the big question was, "Who really did the crime?"

This was where things got really messy. Mrs. Chiong's sister, Cheryl S. Jimenea, was a close friend of former president Jose Marcelo "Erap" Ejercito Sr., aka Joseph Estrada. There's no doubt that there's so much grief. Along the way, Jacqueline's body was never located for some reason. One must think if Jacqueline was the victim of a murder case where the body was never found. Some criminal cases like the Helle Crafts case, were a murder conviction without a body via DNA testing. However, Mrs. Chiong was grieving that she had lost two daughters. Remember, the crime happened on July 16, 1997. The timeline went as follows: the sisters went missing, two days later, a body was found in Carcar, and eventually Paco was arrested on September 15, 1997. However, newsflash, Paco was really in Manila that same night! That's the one thing that can be ignored. Mrs. Chiong was in pain, and one thing was certain: we had a real grieving mother, together with her husband. 

The tragedy was indeed real. Marijoy was only 21, and Jacqueline was 23 years old when they died. Remember any claim that they're still alive is absurdity at its finest. Just because the bodies aren't found doesn't mean the victims are living! Many died aboard sinking vessels, and their bodies are never found. Mrs. Chiong also mentioned that her mother, she would look at the pictures of her daughters, and the two sisters were described as rather ordinary people. Why would they suddenly go missing and never be found? There was some form of relief when Paco and his alleged gangmates were arrested. What was even stranger was why a driver-conductor team was even suspected of having participated, namely Alberto Caño and Ariel Balansag. Josman was arrested for an unlicensed firearm and a gun. James Anthony and James Andrew were probably just small-time troublemakers, too. However, for Mrs. Chiong, it was some sense of closure. 

The rather strange way the Chiong trial unfolded

Phil Life

The trial was considered the Trial of the Decade. The "star suspect," David, showed up 10 months after the trial. What became so bizarre was the relationshop that Thelma had with the suspect. It could be comparable to the late Lauro Vizconde's gratefulness to Jessica Alfaro. The grieving mother was now more vulnerable than ever. An article from Phil Life actually talks about this:

The Chiong Sister case has a strange turn of events 

Rusia had accurately testified of where the body had been dumped, how the sisters had been restrained, and where the pair were abducted from. He also went as far as admitting he had joined in with the rape of the sisters, but did not take a part in the murder.

Despite his sickening recount of the events of that evening, the public still saw Rusia as a hero. He was even granted freedom while the rest of the six remained imprisoned.

Mrs. Chiong went as far as bringing gifts to Rusia after the testimony. Which seemed like a highly unusual gesture to some, as he had just admitted to being a part of the abduction, rape, and murder of her daughters.

Despite the unusual behaviour surrounding the case, many in the public maintained a positive view towards Rusia. Though, this was likely linked to many irrelevant factors. Rusia had lived in the United States, so he was very articulate, with a strong command of the English language. Many also found him attractive, which also began to sway public opinion.

Why did he come forward? Was it because the police offered him immunity, which allowed him to openly tell the story? Or was Rusia forced into his testimony due to some form of manipulation?

Many supporters of the convicted continued to point to inconsistencies in Rusia’s testimony. While Paco and Josman continued to maintain that they did not know Rusia prior to their conviction. It had come out that Rusia had a prior criminal conviction which should have eliminated him from being a witness in the case, but his testimony was upheld.

Rusia also admitted having been tortured by the police. Other detainees within the prison said they had witnessed his torture. But this still changed very little, as there were other witnesses who made statements backing parts of Rusia’s original testimony.

It was later revealed that all the witnesses used by the prosecution had been paid, which raises some very big question about the validity of the entire case.

Accurately? Well, I must admit, for a guy who confessed that they used drugs that night, how could he even have "such a perfect memory"? For the nth time, corroboration doesn't equal accuracy! However, the smoking gun is that David actually admitted that he was tortured. It seemed none of that mattered to Mrs. Chiong. She was a mother desperate for a conviction. I don't think giving David a birthday cake or a new set of clothes was necessarily an act of kindness. My hunch was that this was all done so David would continue testifying in court. Worse, the Supreme Court decision decided to throw away common sense and use David's testimony anyway.

Understanding how grief may have affected Mrs. Chiong's decision-making ability

Mrs. Chiong was probably in no mood to weigh the credibility. The Raymor and D'Andrea Funeral Homes even write this aspect about grief:

Impact on Risk Perception

Grief can alter our perception of risk, leading us to make choices we might otherwise deem irrational. In the face of loss, individuals may become more risk-averse, avoiding decisions that involve uncertainty or potential negative outcomes. On the other hand, some may engage in risky behaviors as a coping mechanism or a way to regain a sense of control over their lives. When making plans for the funeral, grief may urge family members to overspend to honor their loved one while other family members may find the cost unreasonable.

Decision Avoidance and Procrastination

The overwhelming emotions associated with grief can lead individuals to avoid making decisions altogether. The fear of making the wrong choice, coupled with the emotional exhaustion of grief, may result in decision paralysis. Procrastination becomes a common coping mechanism, as individuals find themselves unable to confront the challenges that decision-making entails.

Impact on Interpersonal Relationships

Grief can strain interpersonal relationships, affecting the dynamics between family members, friends, and colleagues. Decisions related to funeral planning, communication, conflict resolution, and future plans may be clouded by the emotional turbulence of grief, leading to misunderstandings and strained connections. Navigating relationships becomes a delicate balance between honoring the grieving process and maintaining healthy connections.

Pre-planning and Other Coping Strategies

Pre-planning for a funeral can be a thoughtful and practical way to alleviate the emotional impact of making funeral decisions while grieving. Pre-planning allows individuals to make decisions about their funeral or the funeral of a loved one when emotions are not heightened by grief and decision-making abilities are not clouded. Knowing that key decisions have already been made can relieve the pressure on family members during an emotionally challenging time. Preplanning can also address the financial aspects of a funeral. This can include setting aside funds or purchasing a pre-need insurance policy to cover funeral expenses. Knowing that financial arrangements are in place can alleviate the stress associated with budgeting for a funeral during a time of grief and eliminate overspending by grieving relatives.

While grief can undoubtedly hinder decision-making, there are coping mechanisms and strategies to help navigate this challenging terrain. Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can provide valuable external perspectives and emotional guidance. Engaging in activities that promote mental well-being, such as therapy or mindfulness practices, can help alleviate some of the cognitive fog associated with grief.

It is essential to recognize the profound impact that grief can have on our cognitive functions and decision-making processes. The emotional turmoil, cognitive fog, and altered risk perception can shape the choices we make in profound ways. As we navigate the complexities of grief and decision-making, acknowledging the interplay between emotion and cognition is a crucial step toward healing and resilience.

The loss of rationality was real. Mrs. Chiong giving cake and gifts to David on his birthday is already a bad decision-making. Would a mother who just lost two daughters suddenly give a confessed suspect the gifts? It has been months since Jacqueline and Marijoy died, but how they died remains unknown. The cognitive functions and decision-making processes have been affected. All Mrs. Chiong wanted was some relief, and she thought she would later have relief. This was a real classic dissonance trap. Would Mrs. Chiong throw away this "once in a lifetime chance" to get Paco and his "fellow goons" what they deserve? Sure, the Regional Trial Court didn't give the death sentence. However, the Supreme Court did so thanks to all the "perfectly corroborated witnesses" with David!

When Mrs. Chiong got what she wanted, she felt some relief. She felt she already had justice. She was living the narrative that "Star suspect confessed. My daughters are lost but now they have justice." No wonder Paco's transfer to Spain felt so painful to her. In fact, Paco was even written as a "convicted rapist" in the Philippine Star. This caused Mrs. Chiong to feel pain. Mrs. Chiong believed she had justice. Mrs. Chiong believed that Spain truly made a fool out of her. I don't blame Mrs. Chiong for her grief as she only wanted justice for her two daughters who went ahead of her. 

The effect that it had years later was just profound

Years later, Thelma simply held on to the same narrative that Paco and his co-accused were the ones who murdered her daughters. Mrs. Chiong still chose to believe David's narrative. The real pain is that Mrs. Chiong remains stuck in grief. It doesn't help that there are people who are lying, "Marijoy and Jacqueline are alive." with really questionable proof. "Marijoy" was actually two people, namely Amelie Arquilliano-Chiong, wife of the eldest son, Bruce Jimenea Chiong, and Dennis Jimenea-Chiong's wife Mitch Beltran-Chiong, who by the way, closer view, looks nothing like her sister-in-law. The other one was Debbie Jane Chiong-Sia, who was actually in elementary when the case happened. 

Give Up Tomorrow came out, and yes, she was also interviewed. However, Mrs. Chiong's mind was already "made up". 

Even if the documentary “Give Up Tomorrow” is eventually released in Cebu, Thelma Chiong said she’s confident Cebuanos familiar with the 1997 case kidnap and killing of her two daughters won’t believe the main culprit, Juan Francisco “Paco” Larrañaga, is innocent.

“I am not afraid of that documentary. It’s fiction. If they (audience) believe that, it’s up to them. It’s all lies. That is just a waste of money for what, to get sympathy?” an emotional Chiong told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview.

Producers are trying to arrange for the film to be shown in commercial theaters in Cebu. The film will open in Manila theaters next week.

This is indeed tragic. As much as I'm against using the film to "prove" that the Chiong Sisters are alive, I'm not going to back down in saying how grief was indeed weaponized. Mrs. Chiong continues to believe whatever was spoken as "truth" by David and the other witnesses. After all, who would want to let go of that sense of relief when it gave you some relief? The tragedy was indeed real, and believing a narrative that helped one sleep better is easy. However, to realize that one was living a lie for decades isn't easy, especially if one thinks, "I already have closure after some time."

In fact, the case even went further when the Good Conduct Time Alliance (GCTA) supposedly gave the Chiong 7 their freedom. Paco was transferred to Spain, but the rest were in the overcrowded Bilibid. This was two years before Dionisio died in 2020. The fact that Mrs. Chiong wanted "shoot to kill" is really tragic. Mrs. Chiong still believes that Paco and his co-accused were the ones who committed the crime against their daughters. This incident may show that weaponized grief is indeed dangerous. After all, Mrs. Chiong was already old. Mrs. Chiong believes that she had closure. It would become incredibly risky and stressful to realize, "What I never had justice and I thought I had it!

By 2018, the VIVA Films movie Jacqueline Comes Home was shown in theaters. I must admit, I even felt sorry for Mrs. Chiong all the more. I felt sorry for her because she had to relive the trauma in the theater. Even worse, she just wanted to erase rumors that her daughters are still alive and in Canada. For all we know, some of the people involved in spreading the network may be connected to whoever committed the crime. The fact that the real killers have never been found should be disturbing! Can you imagine how Paco and his co-accused became the perfect smokescreen? For all we know, those who committed the crime may have been responsible for other deaths under case unclosed. 

All I can say is, shame on trial by publicity! It made the bereaved hate the wrong people and believe the lies fed to them!