PH’s oldest political prisoner a free man at 85

OUT Gerardo dela Peña, 85, is reuniting with his family after his release from New Bilibid Prison on June 30. —photo courtesy of Kapatid

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ oldest political prisoner walked free after more than a decade behind bars on Sunday, in what his friends and colleagues described as a “milestone for human rights campaigns” and a “stark reminder” of the difficulties faced by other detainees awaiting their day in court.

Gerardo dela Peña, 85, emerged from New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City at 9:30 p.m., ending an 11-year incarceration that became a rallying point for prison reforms and a spirited campaign for his release on legal and humanitarian grounds.

Visibly frail and carrying a small bag of belongings, the former activist known to friends and family as “Tatay Gerry” was greeted by his son Melchor and Fides Lim, spokesperson for Kapatid, a support group for political prisoners that spearheaded the movement for his release.

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“We are very happy that Tatay Gerry can finally return home to his family and reunite with his wife Pilar in their twilight years,” Lim said in a statement.

“His release is a milestone for human rights campaigns, but also serves as a stark reminder of the obstacles that impede the release of political prisoners,” she said.

Dela Peña, a former leader of Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) in Camarines Norte province and a Kapatid member, was arrested in March 2013 for allegedly shooting and killing his nephew, also named Melchor, on April 21, 2001.

40 years in prison

At the age of 75, he was found guilty by the Daet, Camarines Norte Regional Trial Court in February 2014, and sentenced to a prison term of 20 to 40 years.

The prosecution had presented testimonies from witnesses who claimed that Dela Peña and his brother Armenio were members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who suspected Melchor of being a military intelligence asset.

The NPA later claimed responsibility for Melchor’s killing, while Dela Peña denied that he was an NPA member, insisting he was merely a “scapegoat” who was “wrongfully convicted” of the crime.

Throughout his imprisonment, Dela Peña had maintained his innocence and continued his advocacy for human rights.

His release came after years of lobbying by rights groups, culminating in a March 2024 recommendation by the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to commute his sentence to 12 years.

“Tatay Gerry’s journey to freedom was very difficult because of systemic challenges and bureaucratic delays. It’s concerning why the BPP could not immediately implement its own Board Resolution No. OT-08-02-2023 allowing executive clemency for prisoners who have reached 70 years old and served 10 years of their sentence,” Lim said.

Remulla’s role

“The fact is, Tatay Gerry had already overserved his commuted sentence, serving exactly 12 years and two months as of June 12, aside from the good conduct time allowance he accrued. Every additional minute behind bars is a gross injustice for an innocent man,” she added.

Kapatid said it was Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla who facilitated the release, with support from the Commission on Human Rights and different advocacy groups.

While Dela Peña walks free, hundreds of political prisoners remain in detention in the Philippines. According to the rights group Karapatan, some 800 political prisoners are languishing in jails or prisons nationwide, many of them activists or ordinary citizens.

“The release of political prisoner Gerardo dela Peña is a testament to the power of perseverance, vigilance and community in overcoming challenges,” Lim said.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks in particular to [Remulla] for facilitating his release, the Commission on Human Rights for its unwavering support, and everyone here and abroad who helped in this collective effort,” she said.