Rights advocates call for release of over 500 political prisoners

On the Global Day of Action to Release all Political Prisoners, human rights advocates on Wednesday gathered in front of Camp Crame in Quezon City to call for the release of more than 500 political prisoners.

According to Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Jigs Clamor, there are 532 political prisoners in the country, including 209 who were arrested during the Duterte administration.

"Halos linggo-linggo, nakakatanggap kami ng mga ulat ng mga dagdag na kaso ng iligal na pag-aresto dahil 'yan sa pagsasampa ng mga gawa-gawang kaso," Clamor said during the protest action.

WATCH: Protesters troop in front of Camp Crame calling for the release of over 500 political prisoners. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/qKLopQAqkj

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) July 10, 2019

Clamor accused security forces of filing trumped-up charges against minority groups including activists, farmers, laborers as well as indigenous people.

"Bakit sasampahan 'yan ng gawa-gawang kaso? 'Yan ba ay isang krimen, ang pakikibaka para sa kagalingan ng mamamayan?" he said.

"Kaya tayo naririto ngayon dahol ayaw natin na gawin ito sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan... dapat ang ipinapatupad ay ang rule of law."

Clamor underscored that despite the government branding the activists as "criminals," these individuals have been passionate, selfless and determined in fighting for the rights of the marginalized sector.

Data from Karapatan showed that of the 532 political prisoners in the Philippines, 44 are elderly, 61 are women, 118 are sickly, five were minors when arrested and 10 are peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. —KBK, GMA News