MANILA - The head of the Parole and Probation Administration on Friday gave several reasons why former Batangas Governor and convicted killer Antonio Leviste was freed on parole on Friday. Speaking to Mornings@ANC, PPA head Manuel Co said Leviste has already served the 6-year minimum of his sentence. Leviste was convicted of homicide on January 14, 2009, for killing his long-time friend and aide Rafael de las Alas. "Ang penalty niya is 6 years and 1 day to 12 years. He has served more than 6 years," Co said. He also said a metropolitan trial court acquitted Leviste of the charge of evasion of service of sentence after he was caught outside of prison in 2011. During his arrest, he told National Bureau of Investigation agents that he had a dentist's appointment. "The public knows he was charged with evasion of service of sentence. Itong evasion of service of sentence, based on the decision of Metropolitan Trial Court branch 62 of Makati, Leviste and a certain Nilo Solis de Guzman were declared not guilty of charges against them," Co said. The PPA official noted that the family of de las Alas interposed no objection to the grant of parole to Leviste, "citing that they have forgiven the subject inmate and both families have already decided to put aside the tragedy." He also noted that at 73 years of age, Leviste no longer poses a threat to the community where he will be reintegrated. He said the board also found that continuous incarceration is inimical to Leviste's health. The PPA also interviewed the community in Lipa, Batangas where Leviste would be reintegrated and that interviews to residents about the possible release of the former governor yielded positive results. He said the Bureau of Corrections also said Leviste coordinated with prison officials on the reformation and rehabilitation program. ANC, December 6, 2013