DAVAO CITY — Maria Elena Escandor, whose husband Romeo from Compostela Valley is one of the 72 political prisoners in Southern Mindanao region, is hoping that her husband will soon be reunited with their family after 10 years in jail.
Escandor said that her husband was charged with criminal cases of murder and arson, and was illegally arrested and detained since November 17, 2006.
She said her husband was incarcerated without sufficient evidence.
Escandor worries because her husband is already sickly.
“Taas iyahang sugar ug enlarged iyahang heart, ug naay highblood (He has high blood sugar count and suffers from enlarged heart. He also has high blood levels),” she said. Escandor added that they need to provide medication for his health.
On Tuesday, June 14 Kalumunan, a group of family members and relatives of political prisoners in Southern Mindanao region called for the speedy release of their family members.
The group also reminded President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his promise to release the 543 political prisoners in the country through a General Unconditional Omnibus Amnesty.
Duterte has previously announced his willingness to grant amnesty to all political prisoners in the country.
No preconditions
Jay Apiag, Karapatan Southern Mindanao region information officer said there should be no precondition for the release of all political prisoners.
Karapatan’s data showed there are 86 political prisoners in Southern Mindanao, which included eight individuals who were arrested in Compostela Valley last month.
He added that out of 543 prisoners, 88 are suffering from illnesses and 48 are elderly. (With reports from Evan Michael Clerigo and Janika Mia Tiempo/davaotoday.com)
