The political detainees at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa joined other political prisoners in the country in holding a fast from July 25 until July 28, in time for BS Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA). The fast intends to highlight the call to “Jail the plunderers, free all political prisoners”.
The political detainees at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa joined other political prisoners in the country in holding a fast from July 25 until July 28, in time for BS Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA). The fast intends to highlight the call to “Jail the plunderers, free all political prisoners”.
In a statement, the political prisoners said, “Kasuklam-suklam ang paglustay ng salapi mula sa kabang-yaman ng bansa, ang patuloy na pagtatanggol ng rehimeng US-BS Aquino… at ang patuloy na pag-aastang inosente at matuwid…” (It is detestable how the regime squandered the nation’s coffers, how it continues to defend DAP and how it projects an image of impeccability and incorruptibility).
Aside from the fast, the 68 political detainees marched at the NBP compound in peach armbands and hung streamers calling for the release of all political prisoners. They went around the cells, including offices at the NBP, to distribute leaflets condemning the presidential pork. The action, the political prisoners said, is part of the Filipino people’s actions against the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
The DAP is deplorable considering the poverty and the lack of opportunities for the impoverished masses. “Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap sa tunay na kasalukuyang kalagayan—patuloy na kahirapan at kawalan ng oportunidad ng malawak na naghihikahos na mamamayan,” said the NBP political detainees.
There are currently 504 political prisoners in various jails nationwide. Among them are 53 ailing political prisoners and 42 elderly who must be released on humanitarian ground.
Eduardo Sarmiento, peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is among the 68 political prisoners at the NBP. In December 2013, Sarmiento was convicted with life imprisonment for the trumped up charged of illegal possession of explosives. As peace consultant, he is protected from arrest by virtue of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). JASIG is one of the major agreements signed by the GPH and the NDFP. Yet, the GPH continues to ignore the said agreement.
The DAP, according to the political prisoners, is BS Aquino’s means to strengthen his hold on power and his political allies through bribery. “Mismong matataas na opisyal ng gobyerno ang pangunahing mga salarin, (The high government officials are the crooks). It is unlikely, they said, that these officials would hold themselves accountable.
“Mahalaga at mapagpasyang hakbang sa ganitong uri ng kaayusan ang inisyatiba ng taong bayan na makilahok at kumilos para usigin at panagutin ang lantarang panlilinlang at pandarambong sa kabang yaman ng bansa, (The people’s initiative—to get involved and to act—is the most important and decisive step to hold accountable and prosecute the plunderers of the nation’s coffers). ###