By ZEA IO MING
C.CAPISTRANO
Davao Today
DAVAO City — Human rights advocates drummed up the call for the release of political prisoners anew days prior to the fifth round of formal talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The latest political prisoners are Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Carlo Morales and NDFP peace consultant Rommel Salinas, who were arrested on May 12 along with Morales’ wife who is a public school teacher including their driver in a military checkpoint in Barangay Gango, Ozamiz City.
Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said the four were brought to the Ozamiz City Police Station and were charged with trumped up cases.
“Their access to their legal counsels were restricted. Guns and explosives were planted in their personal belongings. The next day, May 12, trumped up cases of illegal possession of firearms and/explosives (Republic Act 9516) were filed against Salinas and Bishop Morales, while the two others were released,” Palabay said.
Palabay said as of April 30, they have recorded 403 political prisoners.
In separate letters to President Rodrigo Duterte, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the United Church of Canada (UCC) called for the release of Morales.
“We consider that the arrest and detention of a religious and spiritual leader like Bishop Morales is appalling and a violation of human rights. We urge the authorities in the Philippines to release Bishop Morales immediately,” said Matthews George Chunakara, CCA General Secretary.
The fifth round of talks will be held in Noordwijk in The Netherlands from May 27 to June 1. (davaotoday.com)
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