Reclaiming Life with Courage

(Stories of Hope, Resiliency and Restoration - English)

Danilo (not his real name) now, 30 years -old, was detained for almost four months after being charged under the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) law. His former partner accused him of emotional abuse and failure to support their child, even though, according to Danilo, she was the one who became involved with another man. Their child is now nine years old.

While in Marikina City Jail, a staff member from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) referred Danilo to the Community Bail Program of PRESO Inc. After assessment, he qualified for the program. Danilo said he was impressed by how professionally PRESO Inc. handled his case, despite the many documents needed for his release. The group also covered the transportation and food costs of his sibling, who helped with the process. Danilo never doubted the organization’s intentions because their staff worked seriously and sincerely.

He was released temporarily in January 2025. Now, Danilo is trying to find work so he can recover from what he lost. Before going to jail, he was a sales associate at a shopping mall in Metro Manila. His income was modest but enough for his family. However, due to problems in his relationship, he started drinking to deal with stress and sadness.

During his time in jail, Danilo realized the damage caused by his drinking. He decided to stop and focus on building a better life.

After his release, he started looking for a job. Unfortunately, he cannot get hired because of his NBI record, which many companies check. This has made it difficult for him to find stable work. He is also required to give PHP 5,000 per month for child support, based on his old salary, but he can no longer afford this.

Danilo now sells peanuts and corn as a street vendor. Though the income is low, it helps him get by. He continues to search for better opportunities, but the effects of his case still follow him. He feels discouraged at times and has lost some of his confidence.

Still, Danilo remains hopeful. He dreams of working abroad and believes he will have more chances once his NBI record is cleared. For now, he is doing what he can to support his daughter and move forward. He hopes society will give people like him a second chance after serving their time.

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If you would like to support the PRESO Foundation in providing financial assistance to deserving PDLs, please reach out to the Foundation at 0906-822-1625. Alternatively, you may contact Ms. Nita Silva Mangaser or Sol Baltazar through their Facebook page or Messenger.