MANILA, Philippines — Jail guards at the New Bilibid Prison’s (NBP) minimum security compound told him to pack his things and bid farewell to his ka-kosas (stable mates) just before noon Tuesday.

Freedom was definitely within the reach of former PO1 Gerardo Biong.

Now a gray-haired 60-year-old, Biong, the ex-cop who was sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in prison for burning pieces of evidence in the 1991 Vizconde Massacre case, walked out of the Muntinlupa city penal facility a few minutes later.

“Masaya ako dahil tapos na ang pakikibaka ko sa loob ng kulungan (I’m happy because my journey behind bars is over),” the former Parañaque City policeman told reporters just before his formal release.

Biong was happily met outside by his wife, Jocelyn, who wore a matching white blouse to the freed convict’s white polo shirt. It was more like an effort to signify purity rather than a clean slate.

The reunited couple was all smiles.

Earlier Tuesday, Biong’s lawyer Ricado Valmonte secured a release order from Department of Justice (DoJ) which approved the release of 124 inmates from the NBP. Biong’s name was no. 61 on the list.

He was convicted as an accessory to the murder of three Vizconde family members in January 2000, but was already detained five years prior.

The man’s release came at a time when the Supreme Court (SC) was about to render its final decision on the celebrated case.

“Lagi ko pong igagalang ang anumang maging hatol ng hukom (I will always respect whatever the judge’s decision is),” he commented.

However, Biong maintained his innocence in the original charge lodged against him, which is destroying and tampering with key evidence in the massacre case. “Totoong nag-imbestiga ako pero ni isang ebidensiya ay wala akong sinira (It’s true that I investigated but I did not destroy a single piece of evidence).”

“Alam iyan ng mahal na panginoon (The lord knows that),” Biong said.

But what now for the dismissed policeman, who claimed to have “found God” and subsequently preached His word during his lengthy time in jail?

“I’m preaching the Gospel of God. Ipinangako ko na ang natitira kong buhay ay ipagsisilbi ko sa kanya. Maaaring iyan na lang ang gawin ko (I promised to devote the remaining years of my life serving Him. Maybe that’s what I’ll do),” Biong said.

He also bared that he wishes peace for his family so they may live a quiet life. “Nananalangin ako na maging payapa kami at hindi kami kulangin sa mga pangangailangan (I pray so we may have peace and that we may not grow short of necessities).”