Ernesto Rimando, a renowned activist and labor organizer, is confronting a life-threatening condition as he battles a severe case of liver cancer and various other illnesses. Despite his critical illness, Rimando remains detained and is earnestly appealing to his family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community of human rights advocates for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds.
In a poignant open letter composed from his detention, Rimando implores the public to support his cause and appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Commission on Human Rights Chair Richard Palpal-latoc, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to bring attention to his urgent situation. He also discloses that he has taken legal action by filing a court petition for his swift release with the aid of his legal representatives.
Rimando’s ordeal began with his arrest during a police raid on his residence in Quezon City last year, allegedly for the possession of illegal firearms and explosives, which he vehemently denies. He recounts the distressing details of his arrest, including being blindfolded, tortured, and subjected to a contentious interrogation by the arresting officers.
Despite the dismissal of the charges against him by a court in Quezon City, Rimando finds himself entangled in a web of legal issues stemming from eight other cases filed against him across the nation, all alleging his involvement as a communist operative under the assumed name “Allan Morales.”
Regrettably, Rimando’s health has deteriorated significantly, with his liver cirrhosis progressing to stage 4 cancer, in addition to other serious medical conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary embolism. His physicians have delivered a grim prognosis, giving him a mere three months to live without proper medical intervention, which has been further complicated by adverse side effects from his tuberculosis treatment.
A zealous advocate for labor rights, Rimando has devoted much of his life to championing the cause of workers and peasants, citing his awakening during the anti-martial law movement and the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution as defining moments that propelled him into a life of activism. His unwavering commitment to uplifting the plight of laborers led to two decades of fieldwork, advocating for workers’ welfare in Cebu and collaborating with the local organization Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo.
Sadly, Rimando’s plight is not an isolated case, as human rights organization Karapatan reports that there are at least 778 political prisoners, many of whom have been detained under the current administration on charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The urgency of Rimando’s situation not only underscores the need for compassion and justice but also highlights the plight of numerous individuals who find themselves in similar circumstances within the Philippine justice system. As we stand in solidarity with Ernesto Rimando, we are reminded of the indispensable value of human rights and the imperative to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs, are afforded the right to fair and humane treatment.
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