Aid pours for 80-year-old man jailed for stealing mangoes

People touched by the story of 80-year-old Leonardo Flores who was arrested and jailed for stealing mangoes came to his aid so he could be free.

Several police personnel and residents in Asingan, Pangasinan contributed cash to raise the P6,000 bail imposed by the court for his release, according to local police chief Major Napoleon Eleccion.

Based on a police report, the Asingan police nabbed Flores in Barangay Bantog on January 13.

He was arrested by a December 20, 2021 warrant issued by Sarah Marcos-Martin of the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC) of Asingan-San Manuel.

Information from the police said Flores harvested some 10 kilos of mangoes from a tree near his property, but which he claimed he planted.

“Ang gusto ko sana makipagsundo,  maliit lang naman kasi na bagay, noong ibibigay ko yung bayad ayaw nilang tanggapin, ang sabi nila bayaran ko ng anim na libo,” he said.

After a week in jail, Flores was released on Thursday after paying the bail.

Eleccion said many people, including police personnel, believe Flores should not be in jail because of his age.—Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News