Release of political prisoners urged over peace talks development

Monday, August 8, 2011

MANILA — Militant workers belonging to the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) have expressed hopes that political prisoners can reap the early gains from the improving environment for peace talks.

PM said political prisoners should be considered by the government as “beneficiaries” of peace even prior to the conclusion of final peace agreements with the revolutionary movements.

Last week, the resumption of peace negotiations with the country’s rebel groups got a boost from the Tokyo meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

There are still more than 300 political prisoners languishing in different jails all over the country, according to human rights groups.

The group said all detainees were accused of having links with either the communist or separatist movements but were held for as common criminals. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)