“My son has been in jail for too long. The justice system is too slow. I hope that during Pope Francis’ visit here in the Philippines, His Holiness could to help us in our call for the release of my son and other political prisoners,” Mrs. Zenaida Guray said.
“My son has been in jail for too long. The justice system is too slow. I hope that during Pope Francis’ visit here in the Philippines, His Holiness could to help us in our call for the release of my son and other political prisoners,” Mrs. Zenaida Guray said.
The son, now on his fifth day of hunger strike, is Voltaire Guray. Guray was at his prime, 25, when elements of the 16th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army illegally arrested him on January 14, 2012. Detained at Special Intensive Care Area 1 (SICA 1) at Camp BagongDiwa, Taguig City, he is now 28 and facing trumped-up criminal charges of illegal possession of explosive and ammunition.
Voltaire is the fourth of five children of Arturo and ZenaidaGuray. Arturo, during the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos was also a political prisoner at Camp BagongDiwa. The older Guray was an activist during martial law and a staunch human rights advocate,which led him to the jail.
The generations of injustice and violence strengthened Voltaire to strive to stop this vicious cycle. He now suffers the same fate as his father.
At a young age, Voltaire was already aware of the violence, cruelty and injustice in the country. He learned from the stories of his father. Instead of being afraid, Voltaire was inspired to continue his father’s commitment to advance human rights.
Voltaire was a youth volunteer among indigenous peoples and farmers. He used his knowledge and skills on art to teach them to read and write and in human rights education. He held art workshops. He spent most of his time and energy in poor peasant communities. By raising the peasants’ awareness to their rights to land and empower them to fight, Voltaire earned the ire of landlords in the area of Rizal.They had him arrested by the military.
In jail, he continues his activism through his paintings—a talent he also took from his father. His masterpieces depict the bravery of the poor and oppressed to fight against tyranny and oppression. Painting is his way of coping against depression inside the prison, his longing for his loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Voltaire’s last court hearing was on November 2014. The prosecution failed to produce their witness and evidence. The next hearing is scheduled on March 2015, another four months of waiting.
Voltaire now weak and complains of dizziness and weakening of the body, despite the prison bars, the high walls, and barbed wires, Voltaire is still in high spirits as he hopes for his freedom and that of other political prisoners.“We have prepared for this hunger strike to let the world know that we are serious and sincere in our struggle for our freedom and for justice,” ###