Nasino’s kin struggle to raise P420,000 bail

MANILA, Philippines — The mother and aunt of Reina Mae Nasino are hoping for a Christmas reunion with the detained activist even as they struggle to raise the P420,000 bail granted by a Manila court for her temporary freedom.

Nasino’s aunt, Veronica Vidal, said she last visited the activist at the Manila city jail on Saturday as pandemic restrictions were eased allowing face-to-face visits with detainees.

Vidal, who took care of Nasino as a baby, said she noticed that her niece could not look her directly in the eye.

“She was avoiding my gaze because we both know when we look at each other, we would break down in tears,” Vidal said in Filipino during an interview with The STAR on Wednesday after they filed a motion seeking Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 Judge Paulino Gallegos’ nod to lower the bail amount by half.

Vidal recalled the death of Baby River, fondly called “Mikmik” in their family, who was born to Nasino while in detention on July 1, 2020, but was separated from her a month later.

Underweight at birth, River had needed breastfeeding from her mother to keep her healthy. She died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on Oct. 9, 2020.

Vidal said she worries for Nasino, especially because they have not had a personal talk about the baby’s death.

A reunion with Nasino this Christmas is possible if only they had the money to afford the hefty bail, Vidal said.

“We haven’t had a heart-to-heart talk about it. We didn’t even have the opportunity when she was granted furlough to visit the baby’s wake and funeral,” Vidal said, referring to the heavily guarded funeral attended by Nasino in complete personal protective equipment and in handcuffs, eliciting a public outcry about the lack of compassion for the grieving mother.

“I don’t want to bring up the topic during our video calls. I don’t want her to be depressed inside the jail. Maybe once she gets out, we can finally talk about it personally,” Vidal said.

Nasino is a coordinator for the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Manila chapter.

She and two others – Alma Moran and Ram Carlo Bautista – were arrested during a police raid on the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan office in Tondo on Nov. 5, 2019, as part of the government’s crackdown on activists.

“I don’t blame her at all for her decisions because she has her own mind. Maybe she saw something in society that she wanted to change. I just worry for her sometimes,” Vidal said.

Vidal, who makes a living sewing clothes, said she would not be able to raise P420,000 even if she works overtime.

“Society is so unfair. Should I sell my kidney and liver just to free my niece? We don’t have a source of income. Even if I do my sewing  throughout the night, I still won’t be able to raise that money. Where is the justice there?” Vidal said.

Nasino’s mother, Marites Asis, said she would not be able to afford the bail amount working as a barangay tanod for P400 monthly and house maid for P200 a day.

Their lawyer said they remain hopeful the court would be able to resolve their petition in time for Christmas so the activists could be reunited with their families after three years in detention.

The court had allowed the activists to post bail after the prosecution failed to prove that the confiscated firearms and explosives belonged to them.