Women's rights group stage rally, seeks release of political prisoners

Women’s rights group Gabriela held a protest action today in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to demand the release of 135 women political prisoners.

The rally was held just two days before the observance of the International Women’s Day on March 8.

Gabriela Secretary General, Clarice Palce, said the 135 women are currently detained in various parts of the country. They are human rights advocates, mothers and elderly women currently facing various charges in court.

“Gabriela reiterates our demand: Free our sisters, free all political prisoners,” Palce said.

“While young women are denied quality and accessible education due to poor government prioritization and systemic corruption, the state chooses to weaponize the law against those who demand better,” she added.

Other groups also joined the rally that also marked the fifth anniversary of the co-called Bloody Sunday Massacre.

The Bloody Sunday Massacre refers to the police operations in the early morning of March 7, 2021 that reportedly resulted in the arrest and death of labor leaders, community organizers and human rights advocates.

Mags Camoral, a survivor of the Bloody Sunday Massacre and spokesperson of the group Defend Workers, criticized the government’s failure to make policemen involved in the operation accountable.

“Instead of persecuting those who carried out the raids, the system continues to target the victims and survivors,” Camoral said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News