Two-day "fasting" protest in Panay in support of the 8-day fasting of all political prisoners nationwide, Karapatan calls for the General, Unconditional and Omnibus Amnesty of all 363 political prisoners, Iloilo City, July 19, 2012

July 19, 2012

PRESS STATEMENT

Remove the Yoke of Injustice for Political Prisoners
Bishops Support Fasting/Hunger Strike

The kind of fasting that I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice,
and let the oppressed go free. (Isaiah 58:6, Good News)

We, Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, express our appreciation and support for the on-going fasting/hunger strike by political prisoners in the Philippines. In solidarity with the Filipino people who hunger and thirst for justice and righteousness in our nation, we urge President Benigno (Noynoy) Aquino III to consider the plight of political detainees under his administration and their call for a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.

We find it deplorable that presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has even been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (8 October 2011) saying, “we have no political prisoners.” A mere glance at the list of 385 political prisoners in the Philippines as provided by the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) makes it clear that scores of people assert themselves as political prisoners in the Philippines. In fact, 107 of these were newly detained during the Aquino Administration. In the face of such callous dismissal by the Aquino Administration, we are compelled to amplify the on-going hunger strike of political prisoners.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights-Article 7 declares, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law;” yet, these political prisoners uphold that they have been illegally arrested, detained, and slapped with trumped-up criminal charges. Some have executed affidavits of torture, inhumane treatment, and of being forced to sign confessions under duress.

We challenge President Aquino to consider the release of political prisoners in the Philippines, especially those with conspicuously trumped-up charges, those with health ailments requiring medical care, and the elderly. All of these may be accomplished through a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty. Then, it could truly be said that there are no political prisoners in the Philippines.

Likewise, we appeal for President Aquino to consider the release of 14 National Democratic Front Consultants, covered by JASIG. Their release was also agreed upon by both the GPH and NDFP peace panels during the resumption of talks in February 2011. As Church advocates committed to the peace process, we view such action as a significant step in bringing forward and revitalizing the GPH-NDFP peace talks.

We hunger and thirst for righteousness and we pray that the world will hear the plight of Filipino political prisoners through their nation-wide fasting/hunger strike. ###

Signed:

Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, General Secretary, ** for interview 0915-380-4349
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat, North Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Roel P. Mendoza, Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Arturo R. Asi, South Luzon Jurisdictional Area, **for interview 0947-303-7728

Bishop Jaime M. Moriles, West Visayas Juridictional Area
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose, East Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog, Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Media Liaison: Becca Lawson, 0919-828-9514

Quadrennial Theme: “Discerning and Obeying God’s Will in these Critical Times”

Member: National Council of Churches in the Philippines l Christian Conference of Asia l World Council of Churches l World Alliance of Reformed Churches
(Presbyterian and Congregational) l World Methodist Council l Christian Peace Conference l United Evangelical Mission (UEM)

Photos courtesy of Lean Porquia / BAYAN - Panay
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x July 19, 2012 PRESS STATEMENT Remove the Yoke of Injustice for Political Prisoners Bishops Support Fasting/Hunger Strike The kind of fasting that I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. (Isaiah 58:6, Good News) We, Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, express our appreciation and support for the on-going fasting/hunger strike by political prisoners in the Philippines. In solidarity with the Filipino people who hunger and thirst for justice and righteousness in our nation, we urge President Benigno (Noynoy) Aquino III to consider the plight of political detainees under his administration and their call for a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty. We find it deplorable that presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has even been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (8 October 2011) saying, “we have no political prisoners.” A mere glance at the list of 385 political prisoners in the Philippines as provided by the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) makes it clear that scores of people assert themselves as political prisoners in the Philippines. In fact, 107 of these were newly detained during the Aquino Administration. In the face of such callous dismissal by the Aquino Administration, we are compelled to amplify the on-going hunger strike of political prisoners. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights-Article 7 declares, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law;” yet, these political prisoners uphold that they have been illegally arrested, detained, and slapped with trumped-up criminal charges. Some have executed affidavits of torture, inhumane treatment, and of being forced to sign confessions under duress. We challenge President Aquino to consider the release of political prisoners in the Philippines, especially those with conspicuously trumped-up charges, those with health ailments requiring medical care, and the elderly. All of these may be accomplished through a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty. Then, it could truly be said that there are no political prisoners in the Philippines. Likewise, we appeal for President Aquino to consider the release of 14 National Democratic Front Consultants, covered by JASIG. Their release was also agreed upon by both the GPH and NDFP peace panels during the resumption of talks in February 2011. As Church advocates committed to the peace process, we view such action as a significant step in bringing forward and revitalizing the GPH-NDFP peace talks. We hunger and thirst for righteousness and we pray that the world will hear the plight of Filipino political prisoners through their nation-wide fasting/hunger strike. ### Signed: Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, General Secretary, ** for interview 0915-380-4349 Bishop Elorde M. Sambat, North Luzon Jurisdictional Area Bishop Roel P. Mendoza, Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area Bishop Arturo R. Asi, South Luzon Jurisdictional Area, **for interview 0947-303-7728 Bishop Jaime M. Moriles, West Visayas Juridictional Area Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose, East Visayas Jurisdictional Area Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog, Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area Media Liaison: Becca Lawson, 0919-828-9514 Quadrennial Theme: “Discerning and Obeying God’s Will in these Critical Times” Member: National Council of Churches in the Philippines l Christian Conference of Asia l World Council of Churches l World Alliance of Reformed Churches (Presbyterian and Congregational) l World Methodist Council l Christian Peace Conference l United Evangelical Mission (UEM)







			x News Release July 21, 2012 Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Spokesperson, 0917-5003879 Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580 Protestant bishops echo political detainees call for freedom Eight Bishops from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) expressed support to the ongoing hunger strike/fasting of political prisoners. In a statement, the Bishops urged Pres. Noynoy Aquino “to consider the plight of political detainees under his administration and their call for a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.” The hunger strike/fasting which started last July 16 is on its fifth day. On July 19, some 18 political prisoners in Metro Manila, Agusan del Sur, Cebu and Tagum City heightened their action by going on hunger strike to highlight the call for their release. Five hundred (500) inmates at the Compostela Valley Provincial Rehabilitation Center joined the political prisoners in sympathy. Political prisoners in 10 jails throughout the country have joined the hunger strike/fast. The UCCP Bishops said they are “compelled to amplify” the on-going hunger strike of political prisoners in the “face of such callous dismissal by the Aquino Administration”, referring to the earlier pronouncement of Malacañang that “there are no political prisoners” in the country. They also called for the release the 14 National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultants who are covered by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and NDF Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). “As Church advocates committed to the peace process, we view such action as a significant step in bringing forward and revitalizing the GPH-NDFP peace talks.” In a separate statement, NDF peace consultant Ramon Patriarca criticized the Aquino government because “it has not done enough to comply with its commitments in the many bilateral agreements it forged with the NDF. One cannot but suspect that the June 15 Oslo initiative was meant only as another ‘pogi point’ for the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) or, as a mere posturing preparatory to ending altogether the GPH-NDF peace negotiations consistent with his Oplan Bayanihan counter-revolutionary program.” Patriarca is a political prisoner at the Camp Lapu-Lapu, AFP Central Command headquarters in Lahug, Cebu City. He is among the political prisoners who are on hunger strike. The UCCP Bishops who signed the statement of support were: Bishops Reuel Norman O. Marigza, General Secretary of the UCCP, Elorde M. Sambat, North Luzon Jurisdictional Area, Roel P. Mendoza, Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area, Arturo R. Asi, South Luzon Jurisdictional Area, Jaime M. Moriles, West Visayas Juridictional Area, Dulce Pia-Rose, East Visayas Jurisdictional Area, Melzar D. Labuntog, Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area, Modesto D. Villasanta, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area. ### --------------------------------------------------------------------- PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK publicinfo@karapatan.org --------------------------------------------------------------------- Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights 2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101 Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146 Web: http://www.karapatan.org KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.











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Members of BAYAN Panay and Panay Alliance Karapatan staged a 2-day "fasting" protest in support of the 8-day "fasting of all political prisoners nationwide. Karapatan is calling for the General, Unconditional and Omnibus Amnesty of all 363 political prisoners, 5 of which are currently detained at the Iloilo Provincial Integrated Jail in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan. Some activists wore the orange prison uniform and acted like political detainees in a make-shift prison jail along plazoleta gay in Iloilo City. Karapatan also lambasted the Aquino administration for deliberately denying there are still political detainees in the country. ------- From Bayan Pqanay FB album


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x PRESS RELEASE 19 July 2012 Reference: Boni Ilagan, Vice Chairperson (09176291241) Trining Herrera, Board Member (09155443181) Martial Law Victims sick and tired of Noynoy’s inaction on the Indemnification bill Martial law survivors and members of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) hits Noynoy Aquino for the inaction on the passage of the Indemnification Bill. “We are sick and tired of Noynoy Aquino’s lipservice! We don’t want to see Malacanang pointing its finger on the Senate, like it did to the judiciary on the case of extrajudicial killings. The Senate is party to the delay of the Bill’s approval but Noynoy can hasten its passage if he wants to,” said SELDA Board Member Trinidad “Trining” Herrera. “Sinungaling siya! Ang mga binibitawan niyang salita kaugnay ng pagpapasa ng indemnification bill ay puros pampapogi lang,” added Herrera. (“He’s a liar! His statements are only meant to improve his image.”) In the past two weeks, three SELDA leaders passed away due to sickness; Jose “Bong” Barsoles, 61 years old, Chairperson of SELDA-National Capital Region died on June 29; Romeo Luneta, 69, on July 9; and Margarita “Maita” Gomez, 65, on July 12. Ka Romy and Maita were active board members SELDA at the time of their death. “Ano pa ba ang hinihintay niya? Na mamatay na kaming lahat?” Herrera asked. (“What is he waiting for, that we all die?”) According to the group, speeches nor declarations will not indemnify the Martial Law victims, nor is it the way to move forward. “For all of Aquino’s declarations and promises, in a span of two years, nothing has come of the indemnification bill in the Senate. Mouthing assurances will not give us justice,” Boni Ilagan, SELDA Vice Chairperson said. SELDA held the Aquino administration accountable for the Martial Law victims’ continued suffering and stated that after this SONA, the government should be more aggressive in pushing for the passage of the Marcos Victims’ Compensation Bill. “Aquino may still have four years of ‘pagpapapogi’ but we don’t have the luxury of time to wait. It must be passed now!” Herrera decried. Meanwhile, Martial Law victims announced to continue their traditional march to Batasan on Monday during Aquino’s SONA, together with various sectors to protest the President’s failure to deliver his pledge to serve the country. “We may be sick, but we will never tire of fighting for justice. Not even death can defeat our struggle, just as those who have gone ahead of us.” Ilagan, concluded. ### -- The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) is an organization of former political prisoners in the Philippines. Founded on December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by newly-released political prisoners of the martial law period. SELDA’s primary task is to work for the release of all political prisoners and to see to it that humane treatment of those who are still in detention are complied with by the Philippine authorities. SELDA advocates justice for current and former political prisoners. It calls for the mobilisation of resources in support of political prisoners, former detainees and their families. It carries out legislative advocacy for the indemnification and rehabilitation of political prisoners. SELDA goes into partnership and builds solidarity with concerned individuals and groups for the freedom and welfare of political prisoners and all victims of tyranny. SELDA National Office: 2/F, Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets, Brgy. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines Tel: 632-4342837 Fax: 632-4354146 Email: selda.phils@gmail.com, selda_phil@yahoo.com.ph Web: www.seldapilipinas.wordpress.com