Gov’t sincerity on plan to release political prisoners questioned

Families of political prisoners are questioning the sincerity of the government to fulfill its commitment to release their loved ones from prison.

“Is the (government) sincere in fulfi its commitment to release family members from prison?” asked Amado Cadano, father of political prisoner Guiller Cadano and spokesman of the political prisoners’ relatives.

Cadano criticized the “snail- paced action” of the government’s peace panel on its commitment to release all political prisoners, in line with peace talks with the left’s political group, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“This delay, which is tantamount to neglect, has unfortunately resulted in the death of ailing and elderly political prisoner Bernabe Ocasla,” said Cadano.

Last Nov. 28, Ocasla, 66, died of a heart attack at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. He was among the130 sickly of the total 401 political prisoners.

“We are pained by the continuing incarceration of our children, partners or sisters and brothers because of their defense of people’s rights and their work for genuine social change. There is no pain greater than that felt by the family of Ocasla upon his death while imprisoned,” Cadano said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and members of the government peace panel have made various pronouncements on the release of political prisoners.

Cadano said families of political prisoners have yet to see concrete action from the government on this.

“Are they really serious? Are they really sincere? Because our imprisoned and suffering relatives are serious in their advocacies for reform,” said Gloria Almonte, wife of ailing political prisoner Dionisio Almonte. “The only remedy to correct the injustice done to them is to immediately release them.”

Dionisio is considered one of the seriously ill prisoners. He is detained at the Special Intensive Care Area-1 and awaiting the court’s permission to be confined at a hospital for his severe diabetes and slip disc.

According to the group Hustisya, as of Oct. 31, 401 political prisoners were awaiting release.

“With the untimely death of Ocasla, the number comes down to 400,” Cadano said. “There is no absolving of the government in Ocasla’s death, no excuse for them to delay his release, which indirectly caused his death.”

NPA’s power couple

Meanwhile, President Duterte has ordered New People Army (NPA)’s power couple, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, to be flown to Davao so they could thresh out issues on the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“I have to talk to them,” Duterte said, as the government shouldered the couple’s airfare and billeting expenses.

“That’s the problem of the nation. But we are okay,” the President told a group of policemen, who just graduated from a defensive motorcycle-riding course in Davao City last night.

The President has acknowledged the Tiamzon couple and NDF leader Luis Jalandoni’s vast influence among their comrades, while stressing his aim to ensure the success of the government’s peace talks with the Reds.

Duterte said CPP-NPA founding leader Jose Maria Sison had lost his influence over the leftist group.

The government has an ongoing peace negotiation with the Left in Oslo, Norway. Both sides have declared their respective ceasefires to pursue the talks.