I AM joining millions of Filipinos who will welcome Pope Francis on his visit to the country this coming January 15.
Last Dec. 17, 2014, three of the remaining Cuban 5 who were imprisoned by U.S. authorities for 16 years — Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, and Antonio Guerrero – had been freed. The two others — Rene Gonzales and Fernando Gonzales – were released earlier. The Guardian, an international media outfit, reported that Pope Francis and the Vatican played key roles in the reopening of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The Philippines’ human rights alliance Karapatan, said, “Human rights activists in the Philippines find resonance in the Pope’s statements. Our political prisoners are like the Cuban 5, slapped and imprisoned for trumped-up charges. We appeal for the Pope’s intervention.”
Thus, we stand for the message of hope and lasting peace brought by the Papal visit and for Pope Francis to intercede in our quest to free all political prisoners in the country who were wrongfully jailed. According to Karapatan, there are 491 political prisoners in the country, of whom 220 were arrested under the Aquino administration.
Among the controversial political prisoners in the Philippines are Wilma Austria, Benito Tiamzon, Dominiciano Muya, Mary Grace Bautista, Jesus Alegre, Tirso Alcantara, Lourdes Alcantara, Ma. Loida Magpatoc, Moreta Alegre, and Andrea Rosal, all scattered in different prison facilities all over the country.
Moreover, representatives of various sectors had taken turns in appealing to Pope Francis whom they dubbed as the Pope of the Poor. Farmers under the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), particularly those affected by “corporate and state landgrabbing” will hold a two-day fasting to highlight their call for genuine agrarian reform. Leaders of Hacienda Luisita farmers called on Pope Francis to fight with them against “landlessness, injustice and impunity.”
It is in the spirit of justice and peace, that we welcome the Pope’s presence for our government to heed the appeals of our people, especially the underprivileged and deprived sectors. We join hands and cross our fingers that perhaps, the Pope will listen more attentively and intervene on our people’s concerns.
Atty. Leah A. Librado
Davao City
Councilor
coun.leahlibrado@gmail.com
Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read Our News on: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/ and http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/
20