Advocates call for release of women political prisoners

Two days ahead of International Women’s Day, activists and women human rights advocates held Thursday a protest before the Department of Justice (DOJ) amid searing heat to call for the release of women political prisoners.

“Nandito po kami upang ipanawagan po, para tuloy-tulo na ikampanya ‘yung pagpapalaya sa mga kababaihang bilangong politikal (We are here to continue campaigning for the release of women political prisoners),” Danah Mercellana, spokesperson of the Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), said in an interview.

SELDA said there are 761 political prisoners in the county, of which 157 are women.

One of them was Cristina Miguel, who died of lung cancer at 67 years old in November 2023 while detained in Tuguegarao City, according to SELDA.

“These women are not criminals. They are human rights defenders, activists, and leaders in the struggle for genuine democracy and social justice. They include workers, peasants, urban poor, writers and students, among others,” it said in a statement.

Aside from posters calling for the release of political prisoners, the protestors also held up placards calling for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Meanwhile, SELDA called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to probe the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged violations against women political prisoners.

“Imbestigahan at suriin ang ahensya ng NTF-ELCAC at ang AFP, PNP sa kanilang malawakang paglabag sa karapatang pantao at paghuli at tuloy-tuloy na pagsasampa ng mga gawa-gawang kaso sa mga kababaihang bilanggong politikal. Review-hin ‘yung kanilang mga kaso at ibasura ‘yung mga gawa-gawang kaso na isinasampa sa kanila,” Mercellana said.

(Investigate the NTF-ELCAC, the AFP, and PNP for their violation of human rights and for arresting and filing made-up charges against women political prisoners. Review these charges and dismiss them.)

GMA News Online has requested comment from NTF-ELCAC, AFP, and the PNP regarding the SELDA’s call.

The International Women’s Day is on March 8, Saturday. — VDV, GMA Integrated News