“This is no time to deny the existence of political prisoners in the country. Political prisoners, especially the elderly and the ailing, should be included in the releases during the Papal visit,” this was the call issued by Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay to the Aquino government.
Three ailing political prisoners died under the Aquino regime due to inappropriate medical attention and inadequate health care facilities in prison. “More importantly, the people whom we call political prisoners should not be in jail in the. No one should be imprisoned because of their political beliefs and actions, much more charging them criminal offenses,” Palabay said.
“This is no time to deny the existence of political prisoners in the country. Political prisoners, especially the elderly and the ailing, should be included in the releases during the Papal visit,” this was the call issued by Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay to the Aquino government.
Three ailing political prisoners died under the Aquino regime due to inappropriate medical attention and inadequate health care facilities in prison. “More importantly, the people whom we call political prisoners should not be in jail in the. No one should be imprisoned because of their political beliefs and actions, much more charging them criminal offenses,” Palabay said.
Of the 491 political prisoners, there are 53 ailing and 42 elderly. The three who died in prison were Crisanto Fat (2011), Allison Alcantara (2013) and Benny Barid (2014).
“Then there was the death of Andrea Rosal’s new-born daughter, Diona. The case of Miradel Torres and her new-born baby Karl should also be considered,” she added.
Rosal, who is in jail for trumped-up criminal charges, earlier sent a letter to Pope Francis asking to him intercede for the release of political prisoners. Implying that Rosal’s case is out of their hands, Malacañang Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma responded that her case is already in the court. Torres, on the other hand, is at the Philippine General Hospital with her baby.
“BS Aquino has all the power to release Rosal, Torres, and all political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds. The charges against them should be immediately dismissed or withdrawn because these are false charges in the first place,” Palabay retorted. She recalled how the arrest and false charges against the 43 health workers, collectively known as the Morong 43, were considered by Malacanang as ’fruits of the poisonous tree’. The charges were later withdrawn.
Among those ailing and elderly are:
• Gerardo dela Peña, 75. He was convicted for false charges of murder at the age of 74. Dela Peña was arrested by the 49th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Matango, Vinzons, Camarines Norte on March 21, 2013. He is now at the National Bilibid Prison. He said he was only given one chance to speak in court and was convicted shortly after his case was heard.
• The Alegre family. Husband and wife Jesus and Moreta, and son Selman were farmers who fought for their land against a powerful landlord in Negros Occidental. A son was killed right in front of them. But because they were only small farmers, they ended up in jail instead of being rendered justice. Husband and wife Jesus and Moreta are both 65 year old. They have been in jail for more than 10 years now.
“Let’s not wait for another Barid or baby Diona. The BS Aquino government can start by releasing the women, ailing, and elderly political prisoners now and then all political prisoners,” Palabay ended.###