MANILA -- Calls for the release of 43 health workers who were suspected as communist snowballed as political prisoners from Cebu and Bohol held a two-day fasting (October 8 and 9) to air their message to the Aquino administration.
The military and police said the health workers are members of communist group New People’s Army (NPA) undergoing explosives training in a farmhouse last February 6.
“We strongly urge President (Benigno) Noynoy Aquino (III) to walk his ‘daang matuwid’ talk and make right this grave injustice upon our fellow political prisoners,” said the prisoners through rights group Karapatan.
Of the 43, five admitted they were indeed members of the communist group while the rest are facing the non-bailable offense of illegal possession of firearms and explosive devices before the Morong Regional Trial Court.
“We also demand that the Aquino administration finally begin the process of releasing political prisoners based on humanitarian considerations and as a matter of obligation consequent to its agreements in 2001, 2004 and 2009 with National Democratic Front (NDF),” the detainees said.
The group also called an end to the extra-judicial killings, involuntary disappearances and other human rights violations against journalists, social activists and its other perceived political enemies. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)