Indeed, he did not stop from fighting for what he believed is right. Along with his fellow political detainees then, he organized the prisoners and mobilized them in hunger strikes and other forms of protest to signify their struggles inside the prison.

These protest actions often got attention of the international human rights advocates’ community.

A bigger prison

There must be a difference between living behind bars and moving around freely outside. For Ka Donat though, there is not much difference.

“Inside, we know that the whole prison is inside a much bigger prison which is the society,” he said. “Here, we can move in a bigger area but everyone is a prisoner from the semi-colonial, semi-feudal society we are in.”

Moreover, Ka Donat said he is more active now in the national-democratic movement as a community organizer. He is also actively working with SELDA (Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at para sa Amnestiya or Society of Ex-Detainees Against Detention and for Amnesty).

“The human rights situation in the country is worse now under the Arroyo regime and it is very important now to show that we are all united in resisting (the human rights violations) and that everyone knows how grave is the situation now under this administration,” Ka Donat said calmly but with conviction.

Speaking of violations and the Arroyo administration, I asked about the now-under question anti-terror law or Human Security Act.

Ka Donat paused a moment and with a deadpan said, “What the regime does not understand, is that the people has long been living in fear too much that there is no more fear left for this law but rage.”

“This is a manifestation of how this regime is worse even than the Marcos administration,” he added. ”There is no martial law declared but military rule is everywhere. We should all act together in opposition to this regime. There is still so much to be done.”

Humbling and inspiring

Among the generation of young political activists today, especially in urban poor communities, he is looked up to. There are those who come up to him just to say they are glad to have met him finally. There are those who are amazed that he is not the towering person they thought he was.

His story became an inspiration to many activists and political prisoners. He may even have been a household name.

For Ka Donat, it is humbling and more inspiring on his part. Subtly blushing when asked about his feelings towards this thing, he said, “It is very humbling for me because who am I? I am just an ordinary person but every time someone comes up to me, it gives me inspiration to go on and be strong despite all the difficult times.”

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