Political prisoners start 4-day fast

Political prisoners languishing in different detention cells around the country started their Aquino four-day fasting on Friday as part of their action to press President to order their release.

Over 300 political prisoners in detention centers in Camp Crame, Camp Bagong Diwa,  New Bilibid Prison, Manila City Jail, Quezon City Jail, Central Luzon, Batangas, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, Iloilo, Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao and Caraga joined the fasting, according to a statement released by the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda).

“Apart from fasting, the political detainees will also conduct noise barrage. The fast will last until Monday as a welcome to the state of the nation address of President Benigno Aquino III,” Selda said.

Among those being detained were Alan Jazmines, Jovencio Balweg, Eduardo Sarmiento and Eduardo Serrano, all peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

There were also Sandino Esguerra, who has been detained in Camp Bagong Diwa for 11 years now while his case remains to be for promulgation; Rolando Pañamogan, who is in New Bilibid Prison and suffering from diabetes, deep toxic goiter and congestive heart failure; and Maria Luisa Purcray, the only woman NDFP consultant detained.

Also included in the list are artists Maricon Montajes and Ericson Acosta, who both hail from the University of the Philippines  Diliman.

Angie Ipong, a former political detainee herself and a member of Selda, said they are calling for the immediate release of political prisoners through a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.

Selda, quoting the political prisoners, said “the government of Benigno S. Aquino III needs to abide by the agreement between the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) peace panels last February for the release of all political prisoners—most of whom are unjustly and illegally imprisoned, and whose release should be part of the confidence-building measures on the part of the Aquino government, if the peace process is to progress.”

“The Aquino government should also abide by its promise to release imprisoned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces, in order for the peace talks between the MILF and the GPH to proceed and progress smoothly,” the statement further reads.

“Nothing has been done to serve justice for the illegal arrest, torture and illegal detention of the 354 political prisoners who are still languishing in jails all over the country. Under his term, there were already 45 political prisoners incarcerated,” she said.

In Cebu City, over 50 members of different militant groups here held a one-day fasting on Friday to show their support to the call for the release of political prisoners.

They gathered at the Center for Education and Development on Osmeña Boulevard, where a liturgical ceremony officiated by Karapatan chair Fr. Ray Gellaogan was held, with only water, candies and crackers as their meal for the day.

“This is our opening salvo for a series of activities that will culminate on the day of the State of the Nation Address of President Aquino. We hope that with this we can demand from him to be true to his word on the peace talks and that he will unconditionally release the political detainees,” Karapatan secretary general Dennis Michael Abarientos said.

In Central Visayas, 54 political detainees were still detained for different crimes, according to Jaime Paglinawan, chair of Bayan-Central Visayas.

They included two peace consultants, Danny Badayos who is detained in Dumaguete City Jail and Ramon Patriarca who is detained in Danao City Jail, Paglinawan said.

The group also sought the release of Marilyn Badayos and Ricky dela Cruz who are now in Dumaguete City Jail; Alberto Acerdin who is now at Danao City Jail and Florencio Quiño who is detained at Bohol District Jail. Reports from Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao, and  Edison A. delos Angeles, Inquirer Visayas