Free sick, elderly inmates during Pope visit, PNoy urged

MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Karapatan on Tuesday called on President Benigno Aquino to include the elderly and ailing political prisoners to be released during the visit of Pope Francis to the country.

 

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said three ailing political prisoners had already died in the term of President Aquino due to inadequate health care facilities in prison. 

 

"More importantly, the people whom we call political prisoners should not be in jail in there. No one should be imprisoned because of their political beliefs and actions, much more charging them criminal offenses," Palabay said. 

 

Of the 491 political prisoners, Palabay said that there are 53 ailing and 42 elderly. 

 

The three who died in prison were Crisanto Fat in 2011, Allison Alcantara in 2013 and Benny Barid in 2014. 

 

Palabay also urged the president to consider releasing Miradel Torres and Andrea Rosal, the daughter of the late Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, spokesman of the New People's Army. 

 

Rosal, who is in jail for criminal charges, earlier sent a letter to Pope Francis asking to him intercede for the release of political prisoners. 

 

Implying that Rosal’s case is out of their hands, Malacañang Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said that her case is already in the court. Torres, on the other hand, is at the Philippine General Hospital with her baby, Karl. 

 

"President Aquino has all the power to release Rosal, Torres, and all political prisoners on just and humanitarian grounds. The charges against them should be immediately dismissed or withdrawn because these are false charges in the first place," Palabay said. 

 

Among those ailing and elderly political detainees are Gerardo dela Peña, 75; and Jesus Alegre and his wife Moreta, both 65.

 

Dela Pena was convicted of murder at the age of 74. Dela Peña was arrested by the 49th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Matango, Vinzons, Camarines Norte on Mar. 21, 2013. He is now at the National Bilibid Prison. 

 

The Alegre couple are now in jail over a decade due to a land dispute in Negros Occidental.