Continente added that with this way, too, the Arroyo government thinks it could hide the actual number of political detainees from the international community.
He cited as examples the five NDF consultants who have all been charged with a string of common crimes including murder. “Malinaw na political detainees sila.” (It is clear that they are political detainees.)
A protester holds a unique placard in front of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) headquarters in Quezon City.
Continente said that progressive party-list representatives have been charged anew with multiple counts of murder. Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño, Gabriela Women’s Party List Representative Liza Maza and Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano are facing criminal charges months after the Supreme Court dismissed the rebellion charges against them.
Prison conditions
Continente was himself a former political prisoner. He was imprisoned for 16 years and eight months. He knows well the situation of political prisoners.
Political prisoners are detained in overcrowded prison cells. The National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa has a 4,700-capacity but regularly houses 12,000 prisoners, including political prisoners.
At the Manila City Jail, a cell is good for 75 people but there are 250 detainees in one cell. Randall Echanis, deputy secretary general for external affairs of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines) is detained there.
Continente said political prisoners are mixed with suspects of common crimes. He said this practice aims to inflict psychological torture on the victims. While inside prison, Continente said, the biggest enemy is one’s self. “You would ask why you have been charged with such crimes but you’ll get over it,” said Continente.
At the Bohol Provincial Jail, Continente said the police fired at the detention cells of political prisoners sometime in January this year. The eleven political prisoners were protesting the replacement of the jail warden when the incident happened. Luckily, nobody got hurt.
Continente said that Ipong was sexually molested at the age of 65. He said another prisoner in Bicol is suffering from mental disorder due to physical and psychological torture.
Lawyers
Continente said the lack of pro-bono lawyers for political prisoners has been a problem. There are three political prisoners who still don’t have lawyers.
He said that some lawyers are not keen on handling cases of common crimes. If the charge was rebellion, Continente said, more lawyers volunteer to handle the case.
Moreover, Continente said that human rights lawyers have also been targets of the military.
He cited the killing of Gil Gojol, a human rights lawyer in Bicol.
Worse
Continente said today’s situation is worse than martial law. “Sa maikling panahon, ipinakita ni GMA ang pangil niya at naghasik ng todo-todong terorismo.” (In a short period of time, GMA showed her fangs and sowed all out terror.)
He denounced the creation of the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG). National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez are part of the IALAG.
“Sila ang nagtatakda kung sino ang kaaway ng gobyerno. Sila rin ang nasa likod ng extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.” (They are the ones who decide who is to be treated as enemy of the state. They are also the ones behind the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances).
He said that fascist measures being implemented by the Arroyo government intensify as the Filipino people rise up against it. (Bulatlat)
