By Danilo de la Fuente, vice chairman of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda)
We are calling for the dismissal of the fabricated charges against Frank Fernandez, his wife Cleofe Lagtapon and Ge-Ann Perez, and immediately release them on just and humanitarian grounds.
We are pinning our hopes on the Honorable Judge Marivic C. Cudilla-Victor, to let truth and reason prevail on her decision.
Arrested on March 24, 2019 in Laguna Province, Fernandez, 75, Lagtapon, 69, and Ge-Ann, 24, face charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The charges against the three are patently absurd acts that can be committed by these elderly and sickly prisoners.
Fernandez and Lagtapon both suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Fernandez also has hypertension, hyponatremia and angina, all life-threatening diseases.
Meanwhile, Perez, 22 years old, has been treated from Hansen’s disease, but relapse could possibly ensue given the harsh and congested conditions in jail.
For humanitarian grounds, they must be immediately released from prison, instead of a guilty conviction.
Fernandez and Lagtapon have been fighting for just and lasting peace and advocating for the rights of the farmers in Negros since their youth.
They have made significant contributions to advancing farmers’ plight and fighting poverty in the region. It is high time to put an end to this kind of political persecution of those who fight for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed in our society.