Tags: political prisoners in the Philippines

Double standards in the Philippine’s justice system

“In the Philippines there is no such thing as finality when you are poor and political. Because if you are rich or the son of a king of a department, you are a very important prisoner, your case will get decided for 75 days but for the poor and political and those targeted by the government, there is no end to their legal problems.”

By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld In the fabled Land of Yellow where the President lays claim to the democratic mantle by being progeny to parents who fought a dictator, there lies hidden in the crowded, dank and dark crevices of the realm some 350 plus political prisoners. Officially denied as existing; labelled as terrorists…

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“Sins against Filipino women are being committed on a daily basis.”

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Already there are 356 political detainees in the country, with 78 of them having been arrested on the orders of the Aquino administration’s armed and judicial forces. Almost half or 35 of them are women. Also 153 women have already fallen victim to extrajudicial killings since 2001, with six of them killed under the watch of the Benigno Aquino III administration.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Branding political prisoners as criminals and heaping upon them common crime charges conveniently hide the political nature of their acts; allow the government to shamelessly declare them as common criminals not motivated by a higher goal, thereby violating these prisoners’ rights even more.” – Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“His works as a writer, poet, thespian, singer and songwriter have remained relevant especially to the succeeding generations of UP activists in and out of the university. His bias for the poor and oppressed dates back to his campus days.”

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Esmeraldo Bardon, one of the four detained activists, told Bulatlat.com that his incarceration made him more resolute in fighting for the interest of farmers and the Filipino people. “Although we were detained, our principles remain firm. Instead of being cowed in fear, the farmers vigorously campaigned for our release.”