Priests, nuns to join fast for release of political prisoners

Activists mount hunger strike protest following death of elderly detainee.

Philippine human rights activists announce on Dec. 2 the holding of protest fasts to call for the immediate release of political prisoners in the coming days. (Photo by Cynthia Espiritu)

Manila:  Priests, seminarians, and religious in the Philippines are expected to join a fast to highlight calls for the release of political prisoners.

"We expect a big group of seminarians, priests and pastors, nuns and the laity to join the protest fast," said Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan.

Masses and other activities, like prayer rallies, singing of Christmas carols, and candle-lighting activities, will also be held starting Dec. 4 until Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.

This year's observance of Human Rights Day will be spearheaded by church groups and rights activists that have expressed alarm over the rising death toll in the government's anti-narcotics war and the hero's burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Leaders of church groups contacted by ucanews.com refused to announce details of the protests pending the finalization of the schedule.

The protest actions will be held in the wake of the death of a Bernabe Ocasla, 66, a political prisoner on Nov. 28.

At least 12 political prisoners have died in prison in the past six years.

Ocasla, a consultant of the rebel National Democratic Front of the Philippines, was among the more than 400 political prisoners who were recommended by the rebel group for release during recent peace talks.



Harsh jail conditions

Palabay of Karapatan said "harsh jail conditions" contributed to Ocasla's death.

She said at least 130 political prisoners are suffering from various illnesses, many are life-threatening.

"This is the reason why their immediate release was crucial, for they could have better medical treatment outside jail," said Palabay.

Freed political prisoner Gloria Almonte, whose husband Dionisio, remains behind bars, said families of those in prison will hold a hunger strike outside the gates of the presidential palace in Manila starting this week.

"How many more political prisoners should die before the government act on their commitments in the peace negotiations," said Palabay.

She said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the "continuing incarceration and sufferings of political prisoners, as well as the threats to kill human rights activists."

The government's failure to release political detainees and the continuing arrests and killings of activists despite the resumption of peace talks have become sore points in the negotiations.



Release in 'due time'

The government peace panel announced on Dec. 1 that more than 400 political prisoners would be released in "due time."

Silvestre Bello, government peace panel chairman, said what happened to Ocasla "was a sad development."

"It was unfortunate that [Ocasla’s death] happened just as we are working for the release of the elderly, sick and long detained [rebels] on humanitarian grounds," he said.

Bello said the death should not affect the peace talks because the release of political prisoners is a "work in progress."

"There will be a release of a substantial number of political prisoners based on humanitarian grounds, particularly the women, sickly and senior citizens in the coming days," he said.

But there are legal and judicial issues that need to be addressed, said Bello.

The release of political prisoners is part of signed agreements between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines during the resumption of formal peace negotiations in Norway last August.

The planned release is part of continuing efforts to accelerate the peace negotiations.

Source: UCAN