Six (6) of the political prisoners holding their hunger strike in New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City were rushed to the NBP hospital this Thursday as they approached the 12th day of their self starvation protest for their release.

According to the rights group Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), the hunger strikers who were rushed to the hospital were Rodel Alcon, Edgar Apolona, Apolonio Barado, Diony Sarad, Bas Esmael and Christopher Balneg.

“They are already experiencing the effect of having no intake of food for almost two weeks now.  The NBP doctors regularly check on their health condition and had been advising Apolonio Barado to stop his hunger strike due to his unstable health condition, but he insists on pursuing.  They are all persistent and they want the government to start listening to their plea for freedom,” said Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of TFDP.

The hunger strike protest was triggered by the death of their co-inmate Mariano Umbrero last July 15, 2011.  Umbrero was the cancer-stricken political prisoner who was eventually given clemency by President Aquino four days after his death.

The prisoners’ hunger strike started last July 25, 2011 coinciding with President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). The protest action calls for the release of all political prisoners, prison reforms particularly amendment of the Board of Pardons and Parole guidelines and to draft and issue a clear National human rights program.

According to the group, the hunger strikers’ blood pressures are already getting critical to the point of 90/40 based on NBP Doctor’s check up.

Barado and Alcon have already been given dextrose while they refused confinement and continue with their hunger strike.

“We call on President Aquino and DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima to act on the appeal of the political prisoners immediately before it’s too late again, just like what happened to Tatay Umbrero,” Amistad added.

The group is also waiting and following-up the Department of Justice (DOJ) USec. Francisco Baraan’s pledge during their picket last August 1, 2011, regarding a dialogue with Secretary Leila De Lima to discuss the political prisoners’ concerns.

PRESS RELEASE
August 5, 2011

For more information please contact:
—
Egay Cabalitan Jr.
Advocacy Staff
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
Mobile number: 09219645017
Tel: 437 8054

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