Part One
FORTY-FOUR years after the declaration of martial law, hundreds of political detainees—suspected insurgents, activists and alleged sympathizers who were arrested by authorities remain incarcerated.
Staff and officials of non-governmental organizations Karapatan and Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) said that, while they welcome the release of a number of political prisoners recently, the motivation of the Duterte administration is still suspect.
Hundreds more remain incarcerated in various jails, living under inhumane conditions and suffering from old age or various ailments, according to Dianne de Chavez, spokesman of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog. Many have been arrested after then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in 1972, de Chavez said.
Many of those arrested were charged with trumped-up charges, denied bail and are forced to live under inhuman conditions in prison, she added.
Charges filed against political detainees range from rebellion to “criminalized” charges of multiple murder, murder and illegal possession of firearms.
“Until now, we are waiting for the release of the remaining political detainees,” de Chavez said. “We continue to call on the Duterte administration to fulfil his promise to release all political prisoners, especially those who are old and suffering from various ailments.”
Because the government do not recognize the nature of their incarceration or their arrest, political detainees are living with ordinary criminals, she said.
Released
THE Selda said based on their account, 22 political detainees have been released, so far, under the Duterte administration.
Iglesia Filipina Independiente priest Dionito Cabillas said there are still 505 political detainees “languishing” in various jails, including the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP).
“They are living among ordinary criminals, while their arrest and incarceration is political in nature,” said Cabillas, who is also Selda’s national coordinator.
An activist during the martial- law years, Cabillas was arrested in February 1993 and was detained for nine days. Since then, he has been working to help political detainees.
“In my experience, there are 63 political detainees in the NBP,” Cabillas told the BusinessMirror
in Tagalog.
‘Galunggong’
THERE are 52 political detainees in the maximum-security compound of the NBP.
They belong to one cell and are allowed to cook their own food. Cabillas said each prisoner try to make do with the P50 allowance per day.
The money, he said, allows them to eat twice a day. “Most of our meals are vegetables because these are less expensive than fish. Some of the vegetables the prisoners get from small garden plots within the prison grounds.”
Cabillas said they eat canned sardines more than galunggong (mackerel scad) because the former can feed more. “’Pag may galunggong, parang mayroong may birthday [If mackerel scad is served, many ask whose birthday it is that day].”
‘Better off’
SELDA’S members visit political detainees often to monitor their conditions in jail and followup cases, including those already convicted and were transferred to the NBP.
Ironically, political detainees in the maximum-security compound are considered “better off” than those in other prison cells and are tagged as “common criminals.”
In the NBP’s medium-security compound, however, six political detainees are living with these “common criminals.”
“It is more difficult for them [political prisoners] because the cells are overcrowded and they eat whatever the NBP cooks for the inmates,” he said. “Another problem is a place to sleep.”
According to Cabillas, two inmates sleep in a double-deck cot made out of wood.
“Inmates also sleep even under the bed,” Cabillas said. “Naglalagay na lang sila ng karton para hindi malamigan [They just place disassembled cardboard to protect their backs from the cold cement].”
“We can’t even walk around to pee or go to the comfort room when we have to go,” he added.
Because a cell is overcrowded, inmates sleep on their side.
“They acquire skin diseases; some develop rashes because of sleeping in one position for too long.”
Cabillas also noted the aggravating factor is the lack of water and sanitation inside prison cells.
Water is rationed at the NBP’s Reception and Diagnostics Center, he said, adding that the supply of water is not enough for bathing.
“Tatlong tabo lang bawat isa,” Cabillas said. “Kaya minsan sabay-sabay silang naliligo [Each inmate is given only three ladles of water for bathing. That’s why some of them take a bath simultaneously].”
Ordinary
POLITICAL prisoners in various provincial, city and municipal jails experience the same hardships, according to documents provided by Selda, which is also the Filipino word for “detention cell.”
Provincial jails are managed by the provincial government, while city and municipal jails are run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
In the Manila City Jail, there are five political detainees. Fortunately, they are able to rent a room called kubol. The Manila City Jail charges detainees for “board and lodging.”
Detainees can rent a kubol, according to Cabillas.
“But these facilities are only for those who can afford the monthly rent,” he told the BusinessMirror. “Some who cannot afford a kubol sleep on the floor.”
According to Cabillas, these political prisoners eat the same food as that of other NBP inmates.
In the Taguig City Jail’s female dormitory, there are 12 political detainees. There are more than 40 female detainees in one cell, a number already considered overcrowded by Selda.
In the Special Intensive Care Area in Camp Bicutan, Taguig, there are 22 political detainees, experiencing the same fate as that of political prisoners in other penal compounds, Cabillas said.
To be continued
Image credits: AP