Human rights group calls to release the 83-year-old prisoner, considered the oldest political prisoner in the country.
The group has been appealing to the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Commission of Human Rights through a written message to release Gerardo Valencia Dela Peña from New Bilibid Prison in consideration of his age and health.
“Subhuman conditions have aggravated his high blood pressure and created new ailments,” the group said in the written message.
“In 2019, he reported coughing up phlegm streaked with blood. He is also long overdue for a cataract operation,” it added.
Since 2019 the group has been appealing to the concerned department.
“But no political prisoner has been included in any of the trumpeted government releases of elderly PDLs (persons deprived of liberty),” the group’s spokesperson, Fides Lim said.
The oldest prison is a farmer from Camarines Norte, he is among 824 political prisoners that have been in prison for almost a decade.
“Masasakitin na ako. Matanda na. Sa ilang panahon na ako’y may buhay pa, makapiling ko sana ang pamilya ko.” said Dela Peña.
(I’m sickly and old. I hope to at least spend the time I have left with my family.)
However, the family is unable to visit him regularly due to financial needs.
