'Oldest political prisoner' umabot ng 85-anyos sa Bilibid; paglaya itinulak
MANILA, Philippines — Umabot na sa 85-anyos ang tinaguriang pinakamatandang bilanggong pulitikal sa Pilipinas na si Gerardo Dela Pena — isang Martial Law survivor na ikinakampanyang mapalaya dahil sa edad at estado ng kalusugan.
Sa pahayag ng Tanggol Magsasaka, sinabing nag-birthday sa loob ng piitan ang nabanggit nitong Martes. Ito'y kahit may resolusyon ang Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) na nagbibigay ng executive clemency sa mga presong edad 70 na may seryosong karamdamaan, lalo na kung 10 taon nang nakakulong.
"It is evident that Tatay Gerardo Dela Peña perfectly fits the criteria for executive clemency outlined in this resolution," ayon sa Tanggol Magsasaka, Miyerkules. Sinasabing may hypertension, mahinang paningin at pandinig si Dena Pena.
"Tatay Gerardo hails from the peasantry in the province of Camarines Norte in Bicol. Tatay Gerardo, as he is affectionately called, dedicated himself to activism and organizing within his community, standing up against the oppressive dictatorship of Marcos Sr."
"In 1982, Tatay Gerardo was subjected to arrest, torture, and detention by police and military forces. Trumped-up charges of subversion and robbery was filed against him, he later was acquited from these charges."
Tumakbong barangay captain si Dela Pena habang nakakulong at nanalo, dahilan para mapalaya noong 1983.
Naging founding member din ng Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto, (SELDA) si Tatay Gerardo matapos mapatalsik si Marcos Sr.
Habang patuloy na nag-oorganisa para sa mga magsasaka at human rights advocacy ang nabanggit sa Bikol, muli siyang inaresto noong Marso 2013 para sa kasong murder, bagay na gawa-gawa aniya sabi ng Tanggol Magsasaka. Nauwi ito sa kanyang conviction ng hanggang 40 taon sa New Bilibid Prison.
Clemency ibinasura ng Palasyo
Sa kabila ng mga panawagan sa Department of Justice (DOJ) na mapasama siya sa executive clemency, una nang naiulat na ipinagkait ito ng Malacañang.
"Human rights organizations both locally and internationally have fervently advocated for his immediate release, citing not only his deteriorating health but also his innocence," wika pa ng Tanggol Magsasaka kanina.
"Tatay Gerardo's fervent wish is to spend his remaining years with his beloved wife and family. It is our collective hope that he receives the immediate release he deserves, not only for humanitarian reasons but also in recognition of his innocence and unwavering dedication to justice and human rights."
Ang BPP Board Resolution OT-08-02-2023, na kilala rin sa pangalang Revision to the Regulations on Parole and Executive Clemency, ay naagbababa sa mandatory minimum sentence service period mula 15 taon pababa ng 10 para sa mga persons deprived of liberty na 70-anyos pataas.
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