MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Karapatan on Wednesday said that the Aquino administration should not build or renovate a building for the legislators and other government officials who would be arrested and detained for their involvement in the pork barrel scam.
During a rally in front of the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City, members of Karapatan said the government should instead release all the political prisoners, including the daughter of New People's Army spokesman Roger Rosal, Andrea.
"Actually, the Aquino government and the PNP need not construct or renovate a building for these 100 pork barrel suckers. This government need only to release Andrea Rosal and 489 political prisoners to give space to the plunderers of the people’s money," Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.
She said the political prisoners are facing trumped up charges, making their detention illegal. There are 40 elderly political prisoners and 50 who are sick, "and not just faking out sickness to stay in private hospitals," she added.
Palabay also cited the 14 peace consultants of the National Democratic Front who are under the protection of the Joint Immunity and Safety Guarantees (JASIG) but are nonetheless detained as the government continues to renege on previously signed agreements with the NDFP.
"While political prisoners like Andrea Rosal suffer from the inhumane jail condition and inadequate medical attention, these plunderers who siphoned off people's money are welcomed with brand new facilities," Palabay said.
Being held at the Custodial Center of Camp Crame are peace consultants Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria-Tiamzon, Renante Gamara and Eduardo Serrano.
There are seven more political prisoners with them, five of whom were with the Tiamzons when they were arrested, the group said.
Aside from calling for the immediate release of Andrea, the rights groups and peace advocates also called on the Aquino government to resume the peace talks with the NDFP and release 14 detained NDFP consultants.