Below is the statement of Ramon Patriarca, one of the 13 detained NDF consultants, who declared to go on a hunger strike from July 11 to July 22, in time for the 4th State of the Nation Address of Pres. Aquino.
Patriarca is currently detained at a military camp at the AFP Central Command Headquarters in Camp Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.
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WHY I AM ON A 12-DAY (July 11-22) HUNGER STRIKE
In December 2010, Malacaňang announced it will review the cases of more than 200 political prisoners – most of whom were unjustly arrested for opposing the 9-year Arroyo regime-with the end-view of affecting their release.
In February 2011, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel signed the Oslo Joint Statement with its National Democratic Front (NDF) counterparts, committing, among others, to release ‘most, if not all’ detained NDF peace consultants in order to resume in earnest the GPH-NDF formal peace negotiations.
These twin developments served to strengthen major peace documents between the government and the revolutionary movement, most especially the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) of 1998, and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) of 1995.
More importantly, these developments were a yardstick on the Aquino government’s willingness to actually fulfill GPH obligations made on the negotiating table with the NDF, and consequently, on its readiness to confront the three more difficult substantive agenda of the GPH-NDF formal peace negotiations regarding socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and cessation of hostilities and redisposition of forces.
Halfway through his six-year term, there is no doubt that President Aquino has failed miserably in advancing the cause of a just and lasting peace in the country.
No review of the court cases of political prisoners was ever conducted. Instead, the illegal arrest, torture and detention of social activists and suspected revolutionaries were intensified, such that the number of political prisoners nationwide has almost doubled now to more than 400.
Detained NDF consultants were not released, and their ranks increased, as the Aquino government pursues its counter-revolutionary Oplan Bayanihan with more vigor. Worse, in imposing the latest termination of the GPH-NDF peace negotiations, Malacaňang made it appear that the imperative of releasing detained NDF peace consultants is nothing but a ‘precondition’ capriciously imposed by the NDF, instead of the GPH obligation that it really is.
Political prisoners and human rights advocates are therefore justified in launching various forms of protest, in coordination with other progressive groups, as President Aquino delivers his mid-term State of the Nation Address (SONA) this July 22.
RAMON M. PATRIARCA
Political Prisoner
AFP Central Command Headquarters
Camp Lapu-lapu
Cebu City
July 11, 2013
The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) is an organization of former political prisoners in the Philippines. Founded on December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by newly-released political prisoners of the martial law period. SELDA’s primary task is to work for the release of all political prisoners and to see to it that humane treatment of those who are still in detention are complied with by the Philippine authorities. SELDA advocates justice for current and former political prisoners. It calls for the mobilisation of resources in support of political prisoners, former detainees and their families. It carries out legislative advocacy for the indemnification and rehabilitation of political prisoners. SELDA goes into partnership and builds solidarity with concerned individuals and groups for the freedom and welfare of political prisoners and all victims of tyranny.
SELDA National Office: 2/F, Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets,
Brgy. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Tel: 632-4342837 Fax: 632-4354146
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