Bayan to Aquino: Have a heart, release all political prisoners

Just before Valentine’s Day, the umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on the Aquino administration to “have a heart, and release all political prisoners." The call also came as the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) were set to resume formal peace negotiations on Feb. 15. “The continued detention of more than 300 political prisoners is part of the grim human rights legacy of the previous Arroyo regime. The previous government sought to silence and suppress its critics from the Left by slapping them with trumped-up charges on non-bailable offenses," Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes Jr. said in a statement. “The Aquino [administration] should have a heart and release all political prisoners. It can certainly build on what it has done for the Morong 43 and cover all remaining political prisoners. This would certainly help the peace negotiations since respect for human rights is one of the main issues related to the peace process," Reyes added. Bayan said that the government can explore various modes for the release of the prisoners, including a review of cases by the Justice Department and the subsequent withdrawal of charges, or a general amnesty proclamation that would be acceptable to the detainees. “What Aquino did for the Magdalo and the Morong 43, he can also do for the more than 300 political prisoners across the country. All of the political prisoners were fierce critics of the corrupt and fascist Arroyo regime. Their opposition to Arroyo made them targets of state repression," Reyes said. “Aquino should also consider the fact that quite a number of political prisoners are actually consultants of the NDF in the ongoing peace process. Their continued detention does not augur well for the peace talks. Some of them continue to face trumped-up charges as well," he added. Among the detainees are some 12 consultants of the NDF, including recently arrested Tirso Alcantara, as well as the 3 remaining members of the Morong 43 still held in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Bicutan. Bayan said that the government should also be reminded that in the aftermath of EDSA 1, all political prisoners were released during the term of former President Corazon Aquino. “This government should not forget that 25 years ago, the first Aquino regime made the correct move of releasing all political prisoners that fought the Marcos dictatorship. Benigno Aquino III can do the same and rectify one of the most serious violations of human rights done by the past government," Reyes said. Bayan is set to join human rights groups on Feb. 14 in a march calling for the release of political prisoners. The groups will converge at the Bustillos church in Manila before proceeding to Mendiola (Chino Roces Avenue) for a short program. The government panel negotiating with the NDF has said it will exert its best effort to get the remaining political prisoners released as part of the ongoing peace negotiations. — MRT/JE, GMA News