Release of political prisoners sought following soldiers’ amnesty

With the impending grant of amnesty to some 300 military "mutineers," partylist representatives in the Lower House are pushing for the "immediate and unconditional" release of all political prisoners throughout the country. An estimated 400 individuals jailed for rebellion or rebellion-related crimes are expected to benefit from House Resolution 555 filed by Bayan Muna Reps. Teddy Casiño and Neri Javier Colmenares, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Reps. Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio . The seven lawmakers said that “the government’s immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners will be a gesture of justice and goodwill in the interest of attaining an atmosphere conducive to the peace process as well as a confidence-building measure for the resumption of peace talks." They cited the 43 health workers who were arrested as suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last February 6 in Morong, Rizal by the Philippine Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade and the Rizal Provincial Police. The Morong 43 have remained in detention since then, despite calls by various human rights groups to have them released. Also expected to benefit from the resolution were:

• Angelina “Angie" Ipong, who was arrested on March 8, 2005 in Aloran, Misamis Occidental by alleged PNP-CIDG agents, allegedly held incommunicado for weeks, tortured and sexually harassed. Ipong, 65, has reportedly suffered two mild heart attacks but is yet to be released for humanitarian reasons; and
• Randy Felix Malayao, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) negotiating panel consultant, who was arrested by the military on May 15, 2008, tortured and denied communication from his relatives and friends.

In June 2010, Malayao was acquitted of murder charges for the killing of former intelligence officer, Cagayan governor and then congressman Rodolfo Aquinaldo and his bodyguard. However, Malayao continues to be detained in Ilagan, Isabela. “In the same vein, numerous activists have been slapped with trumped-up charges of rebellion and common crimes that hang like a Damocles’ sword over their heads, their lives being disrupted by threats of arrest, abduction or assassination," the lawmaker said. The resolution stated that NDFP consultants Vicente Ladlad, Randall Echanis and Rafael Baylosis also continue to be victims of fabricated charges and face arrest despite a June 1, 2007 Supreme Court ruling dismissing the rebellion case against them and six members of Congress (the Batasan 6). “The Executive Department, through the Department of Justice, can cause the dropping of charges against the Morong 43, Ipong, Malayao, Ocampo and all political prisoners as well as activists faced with spurious charges. The trumped-up charges against NDFP consultants must likewise be withdrawn as a confidence-building measure in the peace negotiations between government and the NDFP," the lawmakers said. Early this week, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III signed Proclamation 50 granting amnesty to soldiers involved in previous anti-government actions which will lead to dropping of charges and their release.—Amita O. Legaspi/JV, GMANews.TV