NEWS RELEASE
10 September 2008

For Reference: REP. LIZA LARGOZA MAZA 0920-9134540
Jang Monte (Public Information Officer) 0917-4049119

FREE CUBAN 5 CAMPAIGN GAINS SUPPORT OF PHILIPPINE PARLIAMENTARIANS -MAZA

"Today, we express our support to the Cuban 5. In ardent solidarity,
we join the voices of thousands who are appealing for their immediate
release."

Thus said Gabriela Womens Party Representative Liza Maza in a forum
held today at the House of Representatives, entitled "The Cuban 5 @
10". Attended by Cuban Ambassador to the Philippines, Jorge Rey
Jimenez, the forum is being sponsored by Cagayan de Oro Representative
Rufus Rodriguez, Gabriela Representative Liza Maza, the
Philippines- Cuba Parliamentarians Friendship Society and the House of
Representatives Committees on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and
Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.

The Cuban five are Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio
Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez. They have been
languishing in US jails for ten years after having been arrested and
consequently convicted on false charges of espionage, conspiracy
against the US government. Upon their arrest, they were illegally held
in solitary confinement for 17 months in Miami jail.

The United Nations Working group on Arbitrary Detention has condemned
the arrest and continued detention of the Cuban 5. The five are
regarded as heroes in Cuba after they have successfully infiltrated
anti-Cuba terrorist groups based in Miami.

Last August 5, 2008, Gabriela Representatives Maza and Luz Ilagan
initiated the filing of House Resolution 712: "Resolution Expressing
The Deep Concern Of The House Of Representatives Over The Continuous
Human Rights Violations Against The Five Cuban Anti-Terrorist
Activists, Who Are At Present Detained In U.S. Prisons, Serving Four
Life Sentences And 75 Years Collectively, After Being Given What Their
Families, Human Rights Organizations, And The National Assembly Of The
People's Power Of Cuba Assert To Be Wrong Conviction By The U.S.
Federal Court In Miami, And The Earnest Call To Bring About Justice
For The Cuban Five"

"Let the Philippines House of Representatives make its contribution to
this international call for justice known. Their unjust detention by
the US government merits international attention and condemnation. " #

For a copy of House Resolution 712, please see
http://gabrielawome nsparty.net/ files/HR% 20712%20-%20Cuban% 205.pdf
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