Frank is Free!!!

papemelroti's Peggy Lasa and her husband Charlie,

have been serving in the Ligaya ng Panginoon's

Quezon City Jail Ministry since 2009.

They met Frank Llagas there.

Read his story below.

Frank Llagas is free now, after being imprisoned

for being falsely accused of rape.

You can help Frank regain back his life

by donating damaged appliances that he can fix

and sell to build up capital to start his business.

You may donate small appliances like electric fans,

irons, rice cookers, and oven toasters

and bring them to any papemelroti branch.

If you would like to have appliances repaired,

you may call him at 09292493350 or 09232204030.

When he can, John Keating of the Servants of the Word  joins the Ligaya Ng Panginoon North Sector's Jail Ministry on their weekly visits to the QC jail.  On a visit, an inmate who was part of the worship team called his attention.  John with his fantastic memory recognized the inmate, Frank Llagas.  John met Frank on one of his visits to Payatas with Fr. Paul Uewemedimo.  Fr Paul helped Frank acquire a house and would at times live with them.

Frank told John he was falsely accused of raping a mentally handicapped girl.  At the onset, Frank was told the case would not be pursued if he paid a significant sum.  He may have looked like a good extortion target as he was doing quite well repairing appliances.  He did not concede and was soon sent to jail.  Soon after, a group approached him claiming they could work on his release if he advanced money for legal representation. Believing this legitimate, Frank sold his house to raise the funds. The group soon disappeared with the money.  

Frank and his family faced untold challenges that may not have happened had he not been imprisoned. Instead of being crushed, he clung more closely to God.  Frank was determined to remain joyful and would be a front-liner at the jail worship brimming with a smile.

John took an active interest in Frank's case and attended the court hearings when possible.  He was deeply disturbed when there were three successive deferments of the hearing.  Witnesses gave distorted testimonies and no one showed up for Frank's defense. The judge had to declare one last hearing date if the defense did not present a witness.  The outlook was very bleak.  John felt more had to be done. Boy Tambule, a freed inmate and whose own jail story is inspiring worked on tracking down a witness who could credibly testify to support the innocence of Frank.  This was evidently vital in the court's decision to free Frank early this June.   

What if John had not been coming to Payatas, or to the jail?  What if Fr. Paul had not reached out to the family of Frank in Payatas? What if Frank turned his back on the Lord and did not want to attend the jail ministry group?  What if there was no Boy Tambule to track down witnesses?  What if no one wanted to serve in the jail ministry?  The Lord's providence was there all along, the power of prayer and His blessing on the work of those who labor in the vineyard cannot be denied.  What's essential is that Frank knows that it was the Lord who saved him.  Since being freed, Frank together with Boy has been eager to join the jail ministry to share his faith and encourage his ex-fellow inmates.  

After losing five years to jail time, Frank now needs to rebuild his livelihood. He wants to resume working on appliance repair and needs help.  He repairs electric fans, washing machines, electric irons, electric stoves, rice cookers, dispensers, oven toasters, hot water pots, slow cookers, blenders etc.  If you have have any small appliance to donate or in need of repair please bring them to any papemelroti branch.

Donations of these appliances are particularly welcome since this will help Frank build up some capital, hopefully to put up an appliance repair outlet in the QC area.  If you wish to donate cash, that is also welcome.  Email or text us so we can let you know how to send your donations of either cash or in kind if you are unable to bring this to our drop off points.

If the message of Isaiah 58:6 speaks to you and you are interested to support the LNP NS Jail Ministry in some way, you may contact me. 

Pray too that the Lord sends more workers to the vineyard and that we all be faithful in responding to God's call. 

Patsy Paterno

(632) 9179183951)

patsy.paterno (at) gmail.com

Isaiah 58:6-12

6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

7Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousnessa will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

11The Lord will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.