Prisons chief ordered to look into status of political prisoners

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday directed newly appointed Bureau of Corrections Director Gaudencio Pangilinan to check on the conditions of so-called political prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Speaking to reporters, De Lima said she sent a memorandum to Pangilinan in response to the request of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines whose members picketed the Department of Justice on Monday.

“I’m issuing an urgent memorandum to BuCor Director Pangilinan to immediately check on the condition of those named prisoners and give recommendations within 48 hours,” De Lima said.

She said the TFDP informed her that a number of political detainees serving time at the NBP were suffering from various ailments and were not receiving proper medical attention.

The human rights group said more than 300 political prisoners, a number of whom were arrested during the Marcos dictatorship, were still languishing in jails across the country.

De Lima said she was keen on keeping her word to the TFDP to help facilitate the release of political prisoners.

Meanwhile, the justice secretary said she already instructed Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III to finalize his recommendation on the application for pardon of the members of the Abadilla 5.