After nearly a decade in detention, 85-year-old Gerardo Dela Peña, the oldest political prisoner in the Philippines, has finally been released from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. This long-awaited freedom was announced by prisoner rights group Kapatid, marking a significant victory for human rights advocacy in the country.
Fides Lim, the spokesperson for Kapatid, expressed heartfelt joy over the release, emphasizing the challenges and obstacles that stood in the way of setting Dela Peña free. Lim highlighted the bureaucratic delays and systemic challenges that hindered the immediate implementation of the Board of Pardons and Parole’s resolution allowing executive clemency for elderly prisoners.
Dela Peña’s arrest at the age of 75 in 2013 had sparked controversy, as he was convicted of murder for the alleged killing of his nephew, a charge that he vehemently denied. Despite the admission by the New People’s Army of the killing, Dela Peña was still sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Kapatid revealed that the Bureau of Pardons and Parole had recommended the commutation of Dela Peña’s sentence on March 8, in addition to the good conduct time allowance he had earned. The organization argued that Dela Peña had already served his sentence in full, along with the good conduct time allowance, making any additional time behind bars an injustice for an innocent man.
The release of Dela Peña is a testament to unwavering perseverance, vigilance, and community support. Kapatid expressed gratitude to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, the Commission on Human Rights, and all individuals and organizations, both local and international, who contributed to the effort to secure Dela Peña’s release.
Throughout his imprisonment, various human rights groups, including the Commission on Human Rights, had advocated for Dela Peña’s release due to his declining health. His advanced age, deteriorating hearing, and failing eyesight had raised concerns about his well-being behind bars.
Despite this significant development, the Department of Justice has yet to provide any comments on Dela Peña’s release.
The release of Gerardo Dela Peña serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in advocating for the rights of political prisoners. His long-overdue freedom represents a victory for human rights campaigners, but also underscores the ongoing obstacles faced by individuals unjustly detained.
As his family prepares to welcome him back into the folds of their embrace, the release of the oldest political prisoner in the Philippines is a cause for celebration, marking a small but significant step forward in the pursuit of justice for all.
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