Group calls on P-Noy to free sick, elderly political detainees

MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Selda on Thursday  called on  the Aquino administration again to free the elderly and sick political detainees.

The group reiterated its plea following the release  of poet activist Ericson Acosta from detention on Tuesday.

"What remains true is that no person should be held in detention, charged with trumped-up cases, and stripped of his rights because of his political beliefs. We then demand the release of all sick and elderly political prisoners,"Selda secretary general Angie Ipong said. 

Ipong, also a former political detainee, said sick and aged political prisoners have double the reason to demand for freedom.

"Most of the time, sick political prisoners are not given the proper medical attention because of the lack of facilities in prison hospitals and lack of budget to provide health services to prisoners. To a certain extent, their being political prisoners is even used as flimsy excuse to be deprived of medical treatment," she added.

Ipong said elderly political prisoners should be released on humanitarian grounds.

The group said there are now 430 political prisoners in different jails nationwide, 148 of them were arrested and detained under the Aquino administration.

The group documented some 45 political prisoners who are sick, while 12 of them are elderly detainees, or those who are aged 60 and above. - Dennis Carcamo