CPP/Ang Bayan: Relatives file petition for immediate release of vulnerable political prisoners

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 21, 2020): Relatives file petition for immediate release of vulnerable political prisoners

Relatives of vulnerable political prisoners filed a formal petition before the Supreme Court on April 8 to call for their immediate release amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak, there has been a mounting clamor for the release of prisoners especially the elderly, sick, pregnant and nursing mothers, even temporarily, as they are highly vulnerable to the deadly virus. Among them are 23 political prisoners who are being detained based on trumped up charges.

It is impossible to maintain social distancing in jails due to heavy congestion. Prison facilities also lack sufficient sanitation equipment. In Bicutan where political prisoners are detained, 4-5 individuals are cramped in 2×4-meter cells. Some of them are highly vulnerable as they are suffering from old age infir­mi­ties and various complications such as chronic diseases such as dia­be­tes, hyper­ten­si­on and asthma.

Conditions even worsened with the Duterte regime’s militarist lockdown implementation. Earlier during its implementation, relatives of detainees were allowed to bring food and medicines through the service of the Bu­reau of Jail Ma­na­ge­ment and Pe­no­logy (BJMP). This service will be stopped if the reactionary state is going to impose stricter restrictions. Prisoners are fed only twice a day.

Not all prisoners are provided with face masks. There is a high chance that they will get infected in case of an outbreak in prison facilities. In the Quezon City Jail, nine prisoners already tested positive for Covid-19. Nine others suspected of being infected had to be isolated.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/04/21/relatives-file-petition-for-immediate-release-of-vulnerable-political-prisoners/