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Gabriela applauds release of De Lima, calls for acquittal of political prisoners

Philippines | National

Gabriela applauds release of De Lima, calls for acquittal of political prisoners

By Lizst Torres Abello

Alliance of Filipino women Gabriela welcomed the decision of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 to grant former Senator Leila de Lima clemency through bail together with former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Franklin Bucayu, former allies Ronnie Dayan and Joenel Sanchez and Jose Adrian Dera.

(Noel Pabalate)

While Gabriela stood with the court decision, the group in its statement on Nov. 13 also amplified calls on the release of the political prisoners who "merely stand up for the rights of the Filipino people."

"We congratulate Sen. Leila de Lima et al on their release, after more than seven years of unjust imprisonment," said Gabriela secretary-general Clarice Palce.

"We in Gabriela reiterate that no one should be imprisoned, labeled “terrorists,” and subjected to all sorts of brutality, merely for standing up for the rights of the Filipino people," Palce added.

Gabriela said over 800 Filipino political prisoners from which 20 percent are women were still imprisoned.

The group cited the case of activist Amanda Echanis who suffered from "illegal arrest" and was pregnant when "forced" to give birth in jail among other cases experienced by women prisoners.

"It is time for us to direct our thirst for justice towards the real culprits, towards those in power responsible for negligent leadership, suffering, mass killings and crimes against the people, and the silencing of women like Leila de Lima which reveals these crimes," Gabriela said.

Related Tags

Gabriela Leila de Lima

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