‘Political detainee’ dies at NBP hospital

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged member of the communist New People’s Army, described by militant groups as a “political detainee,” died of cardiac arrest at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital yesterday.

Benny Barid, who was serving three life sentences for murder and attempted murder, had been a patient at the hospital for the past three years due to chronic asthmatic bronchitis and emphysema, according to the rights groups Selda (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) and Hustisya.

He was unable to stand up unassisted, the groups said in a statement.

Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayo, however, said “there are no political detainees at the NBP. We classify convicts according to their security needs, health and mental condition.”

He said Barid, just like other detainees at the NBP’s maximum security compound, was given the necessary medicines while they serve their sentence but prison officials are coordinating with human rights groups to ensure that the inmates’ rights and needs are addressed.

Selda and Hustisya blamed the Aquino administration for Barid’s death.

They said Barid was arrested in July 2006 for his alleged involvement in a massacre that occurred in 2004. The military reportedly held Barid’s child hostage to force him to surrender.

Karapatan said Barid was a political detainee during the Marcos administration but was granted amnesty during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino.

Selda dared the Aquino administration to release ailing political prisoners on Sept. 21, the 42nd anniversary of the declaration of martial law. The group said that of 504 political prisoners, 53 are ailing.