Two former soldiers convicted in the Aquino-Galman double-murder case are out of the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City yesterday after completing their commuted sentences.

Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta confirmed the release of ex-sergeant Rolando de Guzman and Airman First Class Felizardo Taran, two of the remaining 12 convicted former military men at the national penitentiary.

“They will be released within the day because of the commutation of their sentences. Based on my computation, they have already exceeded their jail term. Their sentences have already been served,” Acosta, who was at the NBP yesterday afternoon to fetch De Guzman and Taran, told Standard Today.

She said President Arroyo granted De Guzman’s petition for executive clemency while that of Taran’s was approved in 1998 by former President Fidel Ramos.

The two have spent 26 years in prison after their conviction for the murders of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the alleged gunman Rolando Galman on Aug. 21, 1983.

Acosta said their double life sentences had been reduced to a minimum of 29 years, including good conduct time allowance.

“They were elated. They have been waiting for this all these years... finally they will be rejoining their families,” Acosta said of the two convicts’ reactions after being informed of their freedom only yesterday morning.

While Taran was relatively in shape, De Guzman had to be confined at the NBP hospital yesterday due to health problems.

Acosta said De Guzman, whose sentence was commuted by Mrs. Arroyo for humanitarian reasons, has suffered stroke four times.

De Guzman and Taran were among the 16 suspects convicted by the Sandiganbayan on Sept. 28, 1990, including Aviation Security Command chief Brig. Gen. Luther Custodio, who died in prison.

Also convicted were Capt. Romeo Bautista, 2Lt. Jesus Castro, and Sergeants Claro Lat, Arnulfo de Mesa, Filomeno Miranda, Rolando de Guzman, Ernesto Mateo, Rodolfo Desolong, Ruben Aquino and Arnulfo Artates, Constable Rogelio Moreno, M/Sgt. Pablo Martinez, C1C Mario Lazaga, A1C Cordova Estelo and A1C Felizardo Taran.

On Nov. 22, 2007, Martinez, 70, was pardoned and released after 21 years in prison. Three other convicted soldiers have died in detention since then. Ferdinand Fabella