By RONALYN V. OLEA
While the rich could buy privileges in jail and mock the justice system, just like what former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste and other high-profile convicts did, the poor, who include political prisoners, suffer from torture, inhumane prison conditions and injustices.
NEWS RELEASE 28 May 2011 The Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), an organization of former political prisoners, today denounced the practice of granting special privileges given to moneyed prisoners in jails such as in the National Bilibid Prisons and in Camp Bagong Diwa in the light of the recent news that…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“We have decided to file for moral and exemplary damages against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her security officials for violation of our rights. This is but a small step to end impunity in our country. Yet, this a step forward in our long march for justice,” Gary Liberal, spokesman of the Morong 43, said.
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Survivors of martial law criticized a House resolution seeking to bury former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), an organization of former political prisoners, said the resolution authored by Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero and…
By RAYMUND VILLANUEVA
“We started this as a political issue, wanting to prove that there were thousands of victims during Martial Law. Now, they are turning the compensation issue into an economic one, and the lawyers have full control.” – Judy Taguiwalo, UP professor and martial law victim.
Recently, there were two positive developments in the Filipino people’s quest for justice: the victims of the Marcos dictatorship finally got what is due them and the impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is finally being heard. (By Benjie Oliveros / bulatlat.com)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Out of the 9,539 original complainants in a class action suit filed against the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, only 7,526 victims would receive compensation. “Are they telling us that we are not genuine victims? Where is justice for us?” said martial-law victim Carlos Bolito, 60, after learning he was not included in the list of claimants.
Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), the group that represents thousands of the victims in their efforts to hold the Marcoses accountable for their crimes, led a protest march today in front of the offices of Rodrigo Domingo, the Filipino lawyer who has been collaborating with court-appointed lawyer Robert Swift in the class suit.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“My happiness is not complete because two of the Morong 43 are still in jail and hundreds more political detainees are still suffering,” Edwin Dematera told Bulatlat shortly after he was released.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fr. Dionito Cabillas, Selda secretary general, said the Philippine government should work for the immediate release of the political prisoners as a sign of goodwill in the continuation of the peace talks and for humanitarian reasons.
NEWS RELEASE February 14, 2011 On the eve of the resumption of the formal peacetalks of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto, the organization for former political prisoners, today called for the unconditional release of…