Detained activist-artist Acosta gets medical check up

MANILA, Philippines - Activist artist Ericson Acosta on Friday arrived in Manila for a medical check up for suspected renal problems.

Acosta was greeted by his supporters, friends, and family who welcomed his arrival at the Terminal III of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Acosta, 40, whose siblings now all live with their own families abroad, is a cultural worker and activist arrested by the military in San Jorge, Samar while doing volunteer research work for a local peasant group.

He has been detained at the Calbayog Sub-Provincial Jail for 23 months on illegal possession of explosives charges.

The Gandara Regional Trial Court in Samar granted  Acosta's temporary release for a medical check-up. His lawyers filed a motion for medical check-up in July 2012 after Acosta displayed symptoms of serious renal problems.

Earlier, Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta went to Calbayog Sub-Provincial Jail with a medico-legal consultant and a paralegal team from rights group Karapatan on the the request of Acosta’s family and the Free Ericson Acosta Campaign.

Physicians discovered that Acosta has been suffering from nephritis, a condition characterized by blood in the urine (hematuria), lower back pains, high fever and painful urination (dysuria).

These findings prompted the court  to grant Acosta’s motion for check-up, and allowing the PAO chief to accompany him right away to the National Kidney Institute this morning.

"Matagal na naming hinihintay ang mapatingnan si Eric. I am coming to see him without my husband who also has an appointment with the doctor for his spinal ailment that has debilitated him for weeks. Gusto nga sana niyang sumama kay Atty. Persida pero hindi na niya kinaya ang sakit," Ericson’s 80-year-old mother, Liwayway, said.

Dr. Erwin Erfe, PAO medico-legal consultant, said Acosta’s ailment necessitates "thorough diagnostic examinations, possibly including renal biopsy and other specialized ancillary procedures in a specialist kidney hospital."

These facilities are not available at the Calbayog Sub-Provincial jail, and even in Samar provincial hospitals.