Manuel Navoa was once imprisoned and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. He was later found to be innocent by the Supreme Court after spending 7 years in prison and was released in 1986.
Now a free man with a deep sense of mission, he visits prisons, jails, penal colonies, and military camps, averaging one site a week as a living witness of God's love and mercy especially to those who are imprisoned. Working closely with jails, chaplains and dioceses all over the Philippines, he also brings gifts for both body and soul to improve the lives of the inmates. |
Prison VisitsI felt a deep sense of mission when I was set free. I could not just turn my back and forget all who were left behind; there is so much pain to be alleviated. I decided to be a living witness of God’s love and mercy especially to those who are in prison. I knew that I would give a credible testimony because I was once like them. I embarked in a mission of visiting prisons, jails, penal colonies and military camps.
I give the prisoners holy rosaries, rosary guides, religious books and booklets they can read, brown scapulars, green scapulars, prayers, cards, holy pictures, holy medals, crucifixes, statues, leaflets and other religious materials for spiritual help for them. |
School VisitsI also visit the schools all over the Philippines. I tell them of the terrible things that I suffered in prison so that they may fear that place and consequently avoid doing things that lead to or cause imprisonment. I also tell them of the negative consequences of being imprisoned. Being an ex-convict is not an easy life at all. It is very difficult to find a job. People are afraid to employ persons who have been imprisoned.
But the most important thing of all, I tell them to repay God’s goodness to them in their life now. Sometimes the children send letters to the prisoners to encourage them too. |
AdvocacyDuring my missions to the prisoners, I get the names of the prisoners who have not been visited for long time and contact their friends and loved ones and post letters for the inmates to their families.
I also get the names of the prisoners who have no hearings for long time at the courts, old prisoners who have not yet been released and prisoners who have already finished their prison sentences but not yet released and give their case details to the Department of Justice for follow-up of their cases. I also arrange for Masses for their dead relatives with religious congregations. |