Gov’t urged: Release political prisoners during papal visit

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Aquino administration is being asked to release all 491 political prisoners, especially the sick and the elderly, during the visit of Pope Francis this week.

Human rights group Karapatan made the call yesterday, saying of the 491 political prisoners, 53 are ailing and 42 are elderly.

Karapatan also noted that three political prisoners had died under the Aquino administration due to inappropriate medical attention and inadequate health care facilities in prison.

“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,” Karapatan’s secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

“More importantly, the people whom we call political prisoners should not be in jail. No one should be imprisoned because of their political beliefs and actions, much more charging them criminal offenses,” she added.

The three who died in prison were Crisanto Fat in 2011, Allison Alcantara in 2013 and Benny Barid in 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,” Palabay added.

Rosal, who is in jail on criminal charges, earlier sent a letter to Pope Francis asking to him intercede for the release of political prisoners. But Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said that her case is already in the court.

Torres, on the other hand, is at the Philippine General Hospital with her baby.

Among the ailing and elderly political prisoners identified by Karapatan is Gerardo dela Peña, 75. He was convicted of murder at the age of 74 and 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.

Karapatan also cited the arrest and alleged false charges against the 43 health workers, collectively known as the Morong 43, whom Malacañang considered as “fruits of the poisonous tree.” The charges were later withdrawn.

“President 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 The charges against them should be immediately dismissed or withdrawn because these are false charges in the first place,” Palabay said.

“The government can start by releasing the women, ailing and elderly political prisoners now and then all political prisoners,” she added.

Getting pope’s attention

Other groups have also come up with strategies, including asking Pope Francis to dip his finger into national issues such as the removal of pork barrel fund.

Anakbayan Metro Manila said they want “to bring the pope’s attention to particular issues such as the resumption of the peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, calls for wage increase and corruption, among others.”

Ten Anakbayan members held a “photo-op program” at Rizal Park yesterday noon, hoping the pope will notice their calls. Laura Montuya, Anakbayan’s media liason, said the photo-op aimed at challenging the Aquino administration to show the pope the real condition of the country.

When asked why the pope should intervene in the resumption of peace talks between the government and the leftists groups, Montuya said Anakbayan just wants him to “express support for it.”

Anakbayan is also against the government’s security measure to temporarily remove street vendors from their stalls while the pope is in the country because that would mean “taking away the vendors’ right to earn a living.”

The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), meanwhile, has prepared a feast of pagpag, a type of food that is handpicked from restaurant leftovers and a popular viand among Filipino urban poor.

“For the welcome celebration, different viands of pagpag are prepared by the urban poor for the feast. They say it’s up to the pope if he will eat pagpag, and its purpose is but a symbol to show the extent of their suffering,” Kadamay explained. – With Aie Balagtas See