Political prisoners in Misamis Oriental stage hunger strike

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 9): Political prisoners in Misamis Oriental stage hunger strike

Political prisoners in Misamis Oriental are now on hunger strike to dramatize their demand for the release of all political prisoners in the country, provincial jail officials here said Friday.

The jail officials identified the political prisoners as Antonio Saliring, Vicente Libona, Rene Lopez, Joel Llagao, and Delan Samonte, all detained at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail.

Arnuldo Saliring, who is facing robbery and homicide, said that the hunger strike started Wednesday and would last until Saturday in time for the observance of the Human Rights Day.

He said that the political prisoners skipped breakfast and lunch and only took water as part of the nationwide hunger strike being staged by political prisoners throughout the country.

Vicente Libona, 59, of Gingoog City, was detained for eight years with the same cases as those filed against Saliring.

Libona said he has been in prison for eight years on cases he did not commit and the government did not even bother to review his case.

He said that the political prisoners, who were on hunger strike, were expressing sentiments to remind President Rodrigo Duterte’s about his campaign promise to release all political prisoners in the country.

Libona referred to President Duterte's inauguration speech five months ago, where he announced that he will release all political prisoners in the country.

He said that he hoped that Mr. Duterte would fulfill his promise, especially in the spirit of Christmas this year.

Asked about his Christmas wish, Libona said, “My Christmas wish is the freedom of the political prisoners in the country.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=947066