He said that he is consoled by the fact that among the ranks of the organized, political prisoners are highly respected, having been imprisoned for holding on to their political beliefs and having endured torture and hardships in prison.
Although 17 years in prison had taken much from them, they had also gained a lot. “Sa tinagal ko sa loob, dahil naroon akong kasama ang mga PPs (political prisoners), lalong tumibay ang paninindigan ko, naging matatag sa buhay, inalagaan ang buhay para hindi makain sa bulok na sistema ng lipunan (The time I spent in prison, being with PPs, made me firmer in my commitment. I took care of my life so as not be eaten up by the rotten social system),” said Modesto.
“Maraming sinira, marami ring binago sa akin (In many ways it ruined me, in many ways it changed me),” said Julito. When before he used to sleep through meetings and educational discussions, in prison he learned to focus and study documents and sit through hours of education sessions.
“Sa loob, naging masipag ako, sa pag-aaral ng karapatang pantao, yung mga paglabag. Kasi sa akin na mismo nangyari e, buhay na karanasan (In prison, I became diligent, in learning about human rights and violations. Because it happened to me, it was my own experience),” said Julito.
Ironically, he said in prison, they were free to hold political discussions and study sessions, whenever and how long they want. “Kasi nakakulong ka na, malaya ka nang mag-isip. Wala na silang magagawa sa amin kasi nakakulong na nga kami (Being imprisoned, you can think freely. They cannot do anything to us because we are already in prison).”
Julito said that he also learned to treat patients, taking blood pressure, giving acupuncture and acupressure inside the NBP. He said that Brigada 11 was like a hospital where they would treat other inmates. They would even give health services to sick patients in other brigades.
Brothers
For Modesto, prison gave him the special gift of being together with a long lost brother, Absalon, whom he had not seen in 21 years. Absalon was arrested in Cagayan province in 2005. He was a contractor who buys lumber but was arrested by the police on what he said were “trumped-up charges” of illegal possession of cocaine.
Modesto said that Absalon was suspected of being a supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA) and was framed. Absalon told Modesto that the police cannot even properly identify the evidence supposedly found on Absalon, yet he was found guilty.
The brothers had passed by each other several times, but Modesto only learned it was his brother when prison guards called out Absalon’s name. They hardly recognized each other, their faces changed by the years.
Being free
Modesto and Julito’s immediate plans are to get in touch with their respective families. Julito said that he plans to visit his parents’ grave next year. After that, they will decide where to go, what tasks to take on.
“Ang lipunan, hindi naman talaga malaya. Kaya nakakulong din sa bulok na sistema. Hindi mo lang nakikita ang rehas, pero nadarama ng mamamayan ang paghihirap (Our society is not really free. It is imprisoned by the rotten system. You do not see the prison bars, but the people are suffering).” said Julito.
“Hindi naman kami tumigil sa pakikibaka, kahit nasa loob. Ngayon, mas matinding laban ang kakaharapin” (We did not stop our struggle even in prison. Now, we will face a bigger struggle.)
Modesto said he had no regrets. “Kung naging katulad ako ng iba na walang pakialam sa lipunan, hindi sana ako makukulong. Pero hindi puwedeng hindi ako makialam sa lipunan natin. Kumbaga sa barko, ang bansang Pilipinas papalubog na, kailangang pagtulung-tulungan nating iahon iyan (If I were like others who did not care about the country, I would not have been imprisoned. But I can’t be apolitical. The Philippines is like a sinking ship and we all have to help to keep it afloat).
Modesto said that because of his age, he might be obliged to retire, but he will always be there for his fellow inmates, for his comrades and for the struggle.
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