“A new Philippines is possible. But first let free all political prisoners”
Next Monday, July 24, 2023, we will be told by President Bong Bong Marcos that we are a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines).
Such a Philippines, according to Memorandum Circular 24 issued on July 3, calls for “deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and fosters the State’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery” and will be “characterized by principled, accountable and dependable government” pledged to help Filipinos reach their “goals and aspirations.”
Well, that’s good and I am all for a new Philippines. But let’s look at the facts on a single issue alone – political prisoners.
The Philippines, as of June 2023, has 778 political prisoners in detention centers, according to human rights organization Karapatan.
Forty-nine out of the total were arrested under Marcos Jr.
Unfortunately, many Filipinos seen to have political beliefs and work dissenting against the government are put behind bars.
During Marcos Sr.’s martial law, many activists were illegally detained for fighting against the dictatorship.
This practice of detaining activists has bled to the present.
While it is not as easy to arrest activists without a warrant, the state still finds a way to go around this. Usually, they are arrested through trumped up charges as an excuse.
Leila de Lima, a former senator and strong opposition against Duterte, is a prominent example.
She has been detained for six years now, with three drug cases filed against her.
One was dismissed in 2021, while she has just been acquitted for her second case in May 2023.
Human rights organizations, both local and international, have also recognized that her detention is arbitrary and the ‘evidence’ is fabricated.
Despite this, the court has denied her bail.
The state has also charged several activists with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
This is a common trumped up charge.
In 2020, they raided and arrested five activists in Leyte because of this.
They arrested Frenchie Cumpio, community journalist, Mira Legion, chairperson of Anakbayan in Eastern Visayas, Alexander Abinguna, Marielle Domequil and Marissa Cabaljao, secretary-general of People Surge Alliance-Eastern Visayas.
Alexandrea Pacalda, a youth activist, was also arrested in 2019 for the same case. Just last March 15, she was convicted with reclusion perpetua (up to 30 years imprisonment).
These political prisoners, usually activists or coming from marginalized sectors, are also red-tagged in the process of their arrest.
It is not uncommon for the military or the NTF-ELCAC to claim those who have been arrested are ‘terrorists’ or members of the NPA.
However, those they arrest are on-the-ground activists working with communities.
It is quite frustrating that the justice system favors the arrest of those who are also trying to fight for justice.
Some political prisoners have been detained for so long that they are now either suffering from ailments, are elderly, or both.
In Reina Mae Nasino’s case, her arrest has cost the life of her baby.
Reina, together with Alma Moran and Ram Carlo Bautista, were arrested in 2019, also for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
While they were released in 2022, this was not before the unkind situation Reina and Baby River Nasino had to go through.
Reina had asked if her baby could stay with her until River was at least six months old since she was not healthy enough.
However, authorities refused this request. Baby River ended up in the hospital a month after their separation.
Reina’s daughter passed away shortly after.
Political prisoners are not just robbed of their freedom, but of their ability to protect and care for their loved ones suffering from ailment.
In another case, just this year, Kapatid has been demanding the release of the ‘oldest political prisoner in the country.’
Gerardo dela Peña is 84, serving his time at New Bilibid Prison. Tatay Gerry was a farmer from Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
He was also a former human rights worker and village councilor.
He was detained in 2013, convicted of the murder of his nephew Melchor.
While the NPA took responsibility for this, the prosecution maintained that Tatay Gerry was guilty. They also insisted on red-tagging Tatay Gerry but he denied these accusations.
While his name has been submitted to the DOJ since 2019 to be considered for release due to humanitarian reasons, they haven’t succeeded.
Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim also mentioned, “[N]o political prisoner has been included in any of the trumpeted government releases of elderly PDLs (persons deprived of liberty). Not even one.”
Because of this even further marginalization that political prisoners are experiencing, Selda led the launch of a campaign called “Breaking chains, Reclaiming freedom from Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr.” Since Selda is an association of former political prisoners during Marcos Sr.’s regime, it was only appropriate that they led the launch.
One of the campaign’s goals is to get support from the public for political prisoners.
To push this movement forward is to raise awareness on the plight of political prisoners as well as to advocate for their release.
By building networks and coalitions, everything remains possible.
A new Philippines is possible. But first let free all political prisoners!
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