Is he a cause-oriented rebel or a plain criminal?

“I’m not a bad person. I’m only angry because I’m being treated like an animal. My life is a nightmare,” thus said convicted hostage-taker William C. Sablan, in his attempt to soften the judge’s heart and appeal for a reduced sentence.

His lawyer Bruce Berline went on to describe Sablan as a “cause-oriented protester,” who tried to fight for a humane jail condition.

“Let’s not forget the foundation of his action. Mr. Sablan had a great cause. The means which he chose to take to fight for his cause was wrong and he admitted that. He was remorseful,” Berline told the court.

Sablan had several times complained about the inhumane condition inside the Division of Corrections in Susupe. This grievance, he said, was the same reason that prompted him and seven other inmates to escape from jail last February.

“I’ve been fighting this since the time of [chief public defender] Dan DeRienzo. Inside the jail, were are treated like animals,” said Sablan, who was slapped with several charges of assault and battery, and robbery in the local courts.

The problem about the jail condition has been haunting the government The federal government has nudged the local authorities to address the poor condition inside the jail, lack of ventilation, and overcrowding, among others.

Berline claimed the hostage-taking incident was what prompted the local government to pay attention to the inmates’ grievances.

“They are now building a new facility,” Berline said.

Berline also claimed Sablan’s action was an expression of his frustration with the legal system.

Sablan recalled an incident in 1994 when he saw his daughter run over by a car, which further dragged her to death.

“I knew who did that. I gave the police the information, but they did not do anything; no one was prosecuted. I saw my daughter die right before my eyes, but I didn’t see justice. Where is justice?” Sablan said.

US District Court Judge Alex Munson was unfazed by Sablan’s emotional appeal, saying that civil disobedience in the form “torturing and terrorizing” people did not impress him.

Sablan was the leader of the 14-hour hostage drama last March 7. The hostage-takers poked a gun on their fellow inmates’ heads. One of the Chinese inmates was reportedly sodomized.

“How does that relate to the grievances that they were supposed to be protesting about?” Munson asked. “I could see no valid reason for torturing and terrorizing people.”

Munson, who gave Sablan a jail term of 21 years, said the hostage-takers would have a stronger argument for a reduced sentence “if they did not do what they did.”

“If they are protesting about something, they should have brought that to the right people who can effect a policy change. How can an alien, whom they tortured, make the change that they’re seeking?” Munson asked.

Munson also noted that prior to the hostage-taking incident, Sablan had gone back to court at least 24 times for different charges.

“Mr. Berline has the duty to argue on behalf of his client. It was a hard job for Mr. Berline He did a good job, but he can’t changed the facts of the case,” Munson said in an interview after the sentencing.