Former political prisoners represented by SELDA (Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) today submitted a letter addressed to Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc, urging the CHR to monitor the cases and advocate for the immediate release of sick and elderly political prisoners, as well as those who are facing trumped up terror and terror financing charges.
SELDA spokesperson Bonifacio Ilagan and vice chairperson Danilo dela Fuente said that as they thank the CHR for its support for the recent release of political prisoner Gerardo dela Pena, they noted that there are 754 more political prisoners in the Philippines.
“Many of these individuals, who have been actively engaged in various forms of advocacy and community service, are facing critical health and human rights issues that require urgent attention. Ninety (90) older persons among them and 102 are sick with various ailments. Moreover, at least 32 are detained on trumped up charges of violations under Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act and Republic Act No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, together with other criminal offenses,” the SELDA leaders said in their letter.
SELDA called the attention of CHR on the cases of terminally ill trade union researcher Ernesto Jude Rimando, 79-year-old retired peasant organizer Rosita Taboy and sickly Marites Coseñas. “Rimando, Taboy and Coseñas are in situations that are extremely unjust and inhumane, considering the arbitrariness of their arrest and detention, the trumped-up charges against them and their grave health conditions,” Ilagan said.
SELDA also said that the increasing use of “counter-terrorism” laws against activists like environmental activist Miguela Peniero, church worker Aldeem Yañez, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and humanitarian worker Marielle Domequil is a cause of serious concern.
“The Marcos Jr. regime’s penchant of continuing the previous administrations’ policy of criminalizing dissent and human rights advocacies has resulted in these grave circumstances faced by the political prisoners. We remain steadfast in the call for the urgent release of all political prisoners,” Ilagan said.