Press Statement Reference:                                                                                                                        Marie Hilao-Enriquez
29 April 2004                                                                                                                                            Secretary-General

Zenaida Llesis released today along with two other nursing mothers!  Human Rights Group Lauds Release of first batch of political prisoners

KARAPATAN, the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights lauded today the release of the first batch of political prisoners as the countdown on the release of the 32 political prisoners as promised by the GRP during the last Peace Negotiations in Norway nears its end on May 5, 2004.

The human rights group was on hand to welcome Zenaida Llesis, political prisoner and nursing mother as she stepped out of detention from the Reception and Study Center for Children of the Department of Social Welfare and Development where she and her daughter stayed after the regional court allowed her to accompany her child to Manila for medical treatment last February 8, 2004.

“We are all happy to see Zenaida and her daughter finally free from incarceration.” Marie Hilao-Enriquez, KARAPATAN Secretary General
declared. “ Now, baby Gabriela can live a normal life like any other child with her mother and away from the oppressive walls of prison.”

KARAPATAN also announced the release of the two other nursing mothers Lucena Lagado and Irene Plagtiosa as well as another woman detainee from Leyte, Antonieta Pegoria. Lagado and Pegoria are also being turned over to their custodians as part of the Release on Recognizance order issued upon them. Irene Plagtiosa’s release is being worked out in Negros today. Yesterday, three political prisoners in Cebu were freed from prison – Alison Alcantara, Rodulfo Cañedo – both with release orders approved by the President way back in 2001 - and Janeth Montecalvo.

“We commend both the NDFP and GRP panels for taking into consideration the plight of our political prisoners and issuing a statement which
included the release of these detainees as part of the GRP’s confidence building measure,” Enriquez said. “Not to be forgotten are the pro-bono people’s lawyers who stuck it out with our political prisoners through all these years. We also express our thanks and deep appreciation to the Public Attorneys’ Office led by Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, who filed the motions for release personally to expedite the release process, as well as the prosecutors of the Department of Justice who, together with us, worked the extra mile so that the GRP can honor its commitment in the peace process.”

With these positive developments, KARAPATAN hopes to see the eventual release of the remaining political prisoners among the list of 32
promised for release. We hope that by or before May 5, 2004, they will also enjoy the same conditions as that of the first batch.

Indeed the releases augur well for the next round of talks. “We are also hopeful to see the implementation of point #4 of the Second Oslo
Joint Statement which reads, In accordance with the Oslo Joint Statement and Article 6, Part III of CARHRIHL, the GRP shall review, regularly monitor and evaluate, the cases of about 300 prisoners or detainees documented by KARAPATAN and shall immediately release those found to have been arrested, detained, charged, tried or convicted of common crimes contrary to the political offense doctrine in the Amado V. Hernandez case. This will indeed pave the way for the freedom of the remaining political prisoners and the chance for peace based on justice to ensue,” Enriquez concluded. ###

KARAPATAN
Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights
#43 Masikap St., Brgy. Pinyahan,
Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES
telefax: (632) 928 6078 and (632) 435 4146
email address: [email protected]
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website: www.karapatan.org