Continue to remember those who are in prison as if you were together with them in prison… (Hebrews 13:3a)
There are moments when humanity is called to measure, value, and facilitate the quality of life that a person who is fighting a terminal illness will have in their sunset days. The hardship of prison is no place for a person with Stage 4 liver cancer, tuberculosis, and other physical maladies. Ernesto Jude Rimando Jr. has not been convicted of any crime. It is morally correct and medically prudent to afford Rimando immediate humanitarian release on recognizance to facilitate access to essential palliative care and to be with his loved ones.
The false charges against Rimando can be adjudicated and defeated in the court as a matter of justice, but this can take years. The allegations against him are not only unproven, but Rimando has assured us they are untrue. Time is of the essence for Rimando.
At the time of his arbitrary arrest, Rimando was in Metro Manila for treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, but with the deterioration of his health under detention, his prognosis is bleak. Not only will his remaining months be more humane under compassionate release, but we keep hope for extending his lifespan and its quality through regular and comprehensive care.
Organizing the youth since the Marcos dictatorship and eventually volunteering with poor communities in Cebu to conduct research on workers’ conditions on the island, Rimando has remained consistent and steadfast in his human rights work and activism since his student days in Philippine Science High School and University of the Philippines. He also worked with the ‘Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo’ for 17 years. He is a person of integrity known for helping others.
In this same spirit of helping, we join the throng who now ask for compassion on his behalf. Ernesto Jude Rimando Jr. should be released expediently. As terminal illness threatens to shorten his life, we stand with him to appeal for the opportunity to make the most of these coming weeks through robust treatment, which can most effectively be provided through his humanitarian and compassionate release on recognizance.
Signed:
Rev. Fr. Noel Gatchalian, SVD, Church-People Workers Solidarity-NCR
Rev. Fr. Edprim Gaza, CM, TFUC-MP Chairperson
Rev. Fr. Ritchie Salgado, O.Carm.
Sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS
Rev. Fr. Allan Arcebuche, OFM, PCPR-Cebu