NEWS RELEASE
22 November 2007

Reference: Emmi de Jesus, Secretary General, 371-2302 / 0917-3221203

GABRIELA TO GMA: Free Angie Ipong

"If indeed President Arroyo is sincere in calling for the release of
Aung Suu Kyi, she should first release political detainees of her
regime starting with 63-year old Angie Ipong," said Emmi de Jesus,
GABRIELA secretary general. This was in reaction to President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo's call for the government of Myanmar to release Aung
Suu Kyi made during the ASEAN Meeting in Singapore.

"Otherwise, it is a mere publicity stunt that reeks of hypocrisy,
aimed to cosmetize her administration that is internationally
notorious for its flagrant and widespread human rights violations," de
Jesus added.

According to de Jesus, of the 298 political prisoners under the Arroyo
administration, 24 are women. This includes Ipong who was arrested
without warrant last March 8, 2005, tortured and sexually abused while
in detention before she was surfaced 14 days after her arrest.

GABRIELA KAY GMA: Palayain si Angie Ipong

"Kung sinsero si Presidente Arroyo sa panawagan niyang palayain si
Aung Suu Kyi, dapat muna niyang palayain lahat ng detenidong pulitikal
sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon, unang-una na si Angie Ipong."
Ito ang pahayag ni Emmi de Jesus, pangkalahatang kalihim ng GABRIELA
kaugnay ng panawagan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa gubyerno
ng Myanmar na palayain si Aung Suu Kyi.

"Kung hindi, pagpapatunay lang ito ng kaplastikan ni Arroyo at gimik
lang ang panawagan niya para pagtakpan ang malalang paglabag sa
karapatang pantao ng gubyerno niya," dagdag ni de Jesus.

Ayon kay de Jesus, sa 298 na detenidong pulitikal sa Pilipinas, 24 ay
kababaihan, kabilang na ang 63-taong gulang na si Ipong. Si Ipong ay
inaresto ng walang `warrant' noong Marso 8, 2005. Labing-apat na araw
na pinahirapan at inabuso si Ipong bago siya inilitaw ng mga militar
na dumukot sa kanya. Nananatiling nakapiit si Ipong sa Pagadian City.