Rights Groups Hold ‘Sympathy Fast’ to Press for Release of All Political Prisoners

Antonio Flores, spokesman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) and Tanggol Magsasaka, said the Aquino administration is the only post-martial law administration that did not release political prisoners immediately after assumption in office. “At present, the Aquino government has yet to act on the cases of political prisoners, thus, day-by-day, their rights are continuously being violated,” Flores said.  

In a separate statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) urged the Aquino government to take bolder steps against human rights violations, otherwise, it would find itself slowly being isolated, locally and internationally, as well.  

Majority Are Farmers 

Flores said majority of the political prisoners are peasants who are struggling for genuine land reform.   

The groups are calling for the release of Dario Tomada, peasant leader of SAGUPA – SB (KMP Eastern Visayas), Felicidad Caparal, organizer of Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Antipolo 4 (Rizal), Talisay 3 (Batangas), Cadiz 4, Guihulngan 2 (Negros), Buenavista 5 (Bohol) and other political prisoners who are members KMP local organizations and progressive groups. 

Flores said most of the political prisoners are accused of being members of the New People’s Army and charged with murder, multiple murder and other common crimes. 

Tomada left Eastern Visayas in 2006 to escape from the series of extra-judicial killings in the region during Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan’s “reign of terror.” He was arrested July 22 this year in Biñan, Laguna and was accused of being responsible for the alleged “mass murders” in Inopacan, Leyte.

In solidarity with the Morong 43, a mass, officiated by Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, was held at St. Peter the Apostle on Friday. In this photo (L-R): former Rep. Liza Maza, Sen. Loren Legarda, Mrs. Evelyn Montes, Marie Hilao-Enriquez of Karapatan and Fr. Dionito Cabillas of Selda. CHR Commissioner Jose Mamauag, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño were also present during the mass. (Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)

Felicidad Caparal, organizer of UMA, was arrested on January 27, 2009 in Lavezares town, Northern Samar when she was about to fetch her sick mother for medical treatment in Manila.  Caparal is being accused of involvement in an ambush of soldiers in Catarman, Northern Samar on December 2002.  She is detained at Bobon Provincial Jail.  

“Caparal’s case is  total fabrication as she just gave birth to her first child on the date of the alleged ambush she is being linked to, and for many years she was already with UMA,” Flores said. 

Sympathy Fast 

Meanwhile, the relatives of the Morong 43, supporters and human rights advocates also staged a sympathy fast in front of the Ninoy Aquino monument in Quezon Avenue.   

A mass for the Morong 43 at the neaby parish of St.Peter the Apostle was officiated by Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez.  Sen. Loren Legarda, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Jose Mamauag, former Rep. Liza Maza, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño also attended the mass. 

A Filipino community in Canada also held a candle lighting in support of the campaign to release the Morong 43 and other political prisoners. Groups from New Zealand, Germany, United States also sent messages of solidarity. 

Jeanne Mirer, president of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) also expressed solidarity with the Morong 43 and other political prisoners in the country. The IADL, which has an observer status at the United Nations, is organizing the Fifth Conference of Lawyers in the Asia and Pacific (COLAP) to be held September 18-19 at the SMEX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Oplan Bantay Laya 

Selda’s Cabillas criticized the extension of the counterinsurgency Oplan Bantay Laya which he blames for the continuing practice of filing of trumped up charges against activists. 

KMP’s Flores shares the same sentiment: “Aquino is really a big disappointment to us peasants.  He is not for democracy and human rights.  He extended Oplan Bantay Laya…” 

“Instead of listening to the demands and grievances of the people, charges are being filed and warrants of arrests are being served to members and leaders of the progressive organizations and partylists to silence and neutralize them.  And this would continue with the extension of Oplan Bantay Laya,” said Kathrina R. Castillo, head of the Documentation and Legal Services Committee of the Katungod-SB, a local affiliate of Karapatan in Eastern Visayas. Castillo said Eastern Visayas has 15 political prisoners, including five women. (Bulatlat.com)