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SET FREE POLITICALLY
DETAINED MOTHERS AND MINORS - GABRIELA
NEWS RELEASE
16 April 2001
"The pursuit of lasting peace is hollow when women and minors continue to be detained for political reasons most especially mothers criminalized simply because they fought for a better future for their children."
This was according to the militant women's group GABRIELA who staged a picket in front of the Department of Justice this morning calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners especially women and minors.
"We now challenge the Arroyo government to prove its sincerity in forging lasting peace by releasing all women and minors politically detained before formal negotiations with the NDFP commence on April 27" said Liza Largoza Maza, GABRIELA secretary general and BAYAN MUNA party list nominee.
"We call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to heed her maternal instinct rather than listen to macho fascist admonitions of her militarist advisers and set free these mothers and children" added Maza.
"If Mrs. President can meet with the (NDFP) more so should she be willing to respond to the needs of the oppressed people including the release of all political prisoners…I hope that I can be free to be with my family and continue my work in serving the people." This was the appeal of political detainee church worker Lorna Rivera Baba, mother of two, charged with allegedly killing CPLA's Conrado Balweg despite the NPA's admission of responsibility over the assassination.
GABRIELA is also pushing for the immediate release of 72-year old Virginia Tumampo, 22-year old Irene Plagtiosa and 19-year old Emma Raet.
Tumampo was jailed in lieu of her husband who was criminally charged over a land dispute. She is now detained in Albuera Municipal Jail in Leyte together with her two sons. Plagtiosa, a single mother to a 3-year old child, is a worker in Cebu, who was charged of murder in committed in Negros Occidental. She is currently detained in Canlaon City BJMP in Negros Occidental.
Also in detention is Emma Raet who was pregnant when arrested. While in jail, she had a miscarriage. She is included in the government's list for immediate release but she remains jailed in Romblon Provincial Jail.
According to GABRIELA there are at least 13 women and minors arrested for political reasons but were charged with common crimes and are languishing in jails all over the country. ###
