Former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez passed away on Saturday morning after he was rushed to a hospital and declared dead on arrival (DOA).

“Today at about 7 a.m., PDL (person deprived of liberty) Antonio Sanchez was found unresponsive at his cell.

He was brought to the NBP Hospital by his cell mates and was attended to by medical staff.

He was declared DOA (dead on arrival) and subject for autopsy as per procedure on sudden deaths,” Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) spokesman Gabriel Chaclag told a national daily.

“When his cell mates woke him up this morning, he was unresponsive.

There is no sign of foul play,” he added.

The former convicted mayor has been suffering from various health issues or chronic kidney disease, hypertension, recurring gastroenteritis, prostate problems and asthma, according to Chaclag, who said Sanchez’s next of kin has already been informed.

In 1993, Sanchez was meted with seven terms of reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) for the rape and murder of UPLB student Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of Allan Gomez.

His other accomplices who were also convicted have already died. In 2019, Sanchez made headlines again for reportedly being included in the list of inmates who would be released based on Republic Act 10592 or the law that increased the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

However, the public rage that ensued prevented Sanchez from being released.