Pinoy threatens to kill self in prison

Eastern Magistracy

“IT’S always like this. I am tired of this life…Probably I will just kill myself to finish this.”

This was the statement by a Filipino man facing various criminal charges when a judge said he would be sending the defendant to prison after the latter failed to pay a fine within the prescribed period.

Mark A.B. on Mar. 16 was first brought to Court 1 for a fresh case of “handling stolen goods” against him.

He was arrested on the previous day for another theft case.

Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai of Eastern Magistracy asked the prosecutor why Mark was still at large as there was a standing arrest warrant against him. The prosecutor said Mark was granted police bail.

The defendant’s duty lawyer asked the court to grant Mark bail because he had hypertension and kidney issues, and needed medical treatment.

Judge Chainrai denied the defendant’s bail application, noting his six previous convictions, and four previous instances of absconding. The defendant was then brought to Court 7.

Judge Jason Wan Siu-ming asked Mark why he was unable to pay the original $5,000-fine imposed on him.

“Defendant, it’s you again. I have lost count of the chances I have given you to pay (the fine). Three times? Every time you told me you’d be able to pay. So what was wrong with you?” said Judge Wan.

The defendant then said he was unemployed and under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme.

Judge Wan said it was the same thing that Mark told him during the last time the latter was in court.

“That’s you’re problem. You should stay away from trouble,” the magistrate said.

The defendant’s lawyer said Mark was supporting his stepdaughter in the Philippines. When the magistrate said that instead of paying the fine of $8,000, Mark should be sent to prison, the defendant became emotional.

“Probably I will just kill myself,” said Mark.

The magistrate then paused and asked the defendant to “calm down”.

“I will give you last chance to pay the fine. You’re given two months to pay,” said Judge Wan.

Mark, with a sheepish smile, asked that he be given three months to pay, but the judge refused, saying he was given almost nine months to pay.