Council pushes for release of all political prisoners

CEBU, Philippines -  Eleven Cebu City Councilors urged President Benigno Aquino to release all political prisoners so they can be with their families this Christmas day.

In a resolution, councilors Sisinio Andales, Roberto Cabarrubias, Nida Cabrera, Ronald Cuenco, Jose Daluz III, Alvin Dizon, Lea Japson, Margarita Osmeña, Augustus Pe, Jr., Michael Ralota and Noel Wenceslao requested Aquino to grant executive clemency to all political prisoners so they could go back to their families and the mainstream society.

The councilors further requested the President to prioritize the release of those suffering from serious medical conditions and those who were convicted solely because of political crimes.

The council appealed to the president to do such for humanitarian reasons and to show his sincerity to the attainment of genuine and lasting peace in the country.

Reportedly, about 306 political prisoners remain behind bars across the country according to the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.

“Almost all these political prisoners are socially marginalized individuals and not hardcore ideology converts who were merely recruited as ordinary members of propagandists of the insurgency movement and convicted purely of political crimes only without committing or being involved in any other crimes against persons, chastity or property,” the resolution reads.

It has also been reported that a number of them are suffering from serious medical conditions that need immediate attention.

The President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons and may grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress according to Section 19 of Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“President Noynoy Aquino can make a rare political milestone in Philippine history by emulating and following the memorable footsteps of his late mother who released all political prisoners in 1986 after the successful EDSA Revolution,” the resolution reads. —MIT (FREEMAN)