Dear Editor,
On December 3, we commemorated the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. For several years, during the time of Martial Law, a long list of activists and advocates were imprisoned because they opposed or criticized the government’s system, ill-practices and anomalies. They were captured and put behind bars because they merely participated in political activities critiquing the wrong doings of public officials. They were charged with trump-up charges or crimes they did not even commit.
They are the ones who advocated for genuine land reforms, helping and educating the Indigenous People, fighting against unjust capitalism and other social problems. They are exercising their freedom of expression, of demonstration and of speech granted to them by the Philippine Constitution.
Amidst the prevailing political and social struggles, I believe we are blinded by fabrication of information and lies. We refused to see the truth when in fact it is apparent that there is a continuing struggle for democratic rights particularly for the marginalized and underrepresented sectors. There is local and international oppression.
In Southern Mindanao, Karapatan, recorded that there are 35 political prisoners suffering in jail from the time of former president Arroyo until now . They are facing criminal charges. 14 consultants of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are also in jail when they are supposed to have immunity granted by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Grant (JASIG)- an agreement which was agreed and signed by the government during the preceding peace talks.
Yesterday, I was moved by the statement issued by a group calling for the release of another political prisoner who was jailed last October 16.
He is Dominiciano “Dioning” Muya, based on records, he is an agriculturist and organic staff of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. He was charged to have committed the crimes of robbery, damage of properties, multiple murders and double frustrated murders.
Mr. Muya is a community developer, an activist maybe because he is advocating the rights and welfare of the lumads by helping them in sustainable agriculture. He was one of the people behind the establishment of the Salugpungan Learning Centers- schools of Talaingod-Manobo children that are being encamped by the military forces.
Due to his detention in jail, a number of projects, including classroom construction for the benefit of the indigenous People students are impeded.
I sincerely sympathize with Mr. Muya and his family as they are harassed and intimidated because of this trial. I can imagine the trauma and fear they are bearing being a daughter of a former political prisoner. I wish them strength and courage to surpass this very challenging event in their lives.
There is a necessity to cease the punishment and torture of activists or revolutionaries who struggle for economic, political and social change. They are not criminals. I call for solidarity! Release Dominiciano Muya! Free all political prisoners NOW!
Atty. Leah Librado
Councilor, 1st District
City of Davao
coun.leahlibrado@gmail.com
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