Political Prisoners in the Philippines

There are over 600 political prisoners in the Philippines. These prisoners are activists, peasant and labour organizers, human rights defenders - all ordinary Filipinos who exercised their right to criticize and to dissent. They are kept in congested, overflowing prisons that make physical distancing and basic hygiene under the COVID-19 pandemic impossible. Many of these prisoners are elderly, sick and suffering from pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension. They are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and are held in the most dangerous places for the virus to spread.

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Bring Them Home

The Duterte government continues to ignore its State obligation of responsibility for the lives and health of the people it detains. It refuses to uphold the right of prisoners to health and medical care in prison which is guaranteed under the right to life.The current regime remains indifferent to the call of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to all governments to "release every person detained without sufficient legal basis, including political prisoners and others detained simply for expressing critical or dissenting views." In not releasing political prisoners during the pandemic, the Duterte government has virtually sentenced them to death.

• Reina Mae's Story

The Story of Reina Mae Nasino and Baby River

Reina Mae Nasino (23), an activist with urban poor organization KADAMAY, was one-month pregnant when she was arrested on trumped up charges in November, 2019. A month after giving birth mother and child were separated, and soon after baby River's health began deteriorating. Despite urgent calls to reunite the two, Reina Mae continued to be denied the opportunity to see her child. Baby River passed away from pneumonia at three months old in August. Reina Mae was only granted three hours furlough to attend her baby's burial. Malaya Canada condemns this unjust and tragic outcome, and joins the calls for #JusticeForBabyRiver and to #FreeReinaMae.

• DONATE

How Far Will Your $10 Go?

Your $10 CAD will go a long way!
With each $10 donation you make, KAPATID will be able to purchase ONE of the following bundles. The more you are able to donate, the further your money will go towards supporting political prisoners and their families during this holiday season.- 3 pairs of slippers, 2 face masks
OR
- 1kg of Lakatan bananas, assorted vegetables, 1/4kg of dried fish
OR
- 10 Saba bananas, 1/2kg of fresh fish
OR
- 1 jar of peanut butter, 1 can of corned beef, 3 cans of sardines
OR
- 3 bath soaps, 12 sachets of shampoo, 3 dozen portions of laundry soap

• $10 gift packs continued...

How Far Will Your $10 Go?
continued

Your $10 CAD will go a long way!
With each $10CAD donation you make, KAPATID will be able to purchase ONE of the following bundles. The more you are able to donate, the further your money will go towards supporting political prisoners and their families during this holiday season.- 6 pairs of women's underwear
OR
- 3 pairs of men's briefs
OR
- 2 loaves of bread, 3 cans of Reno liver spread, 3 sachets of Lady's Choice sandwich spread
OR
- Lotion, isopropyl alcohol, face masks
OR
- 20 Biogesic tablets, 20 Neozep tablets

• How to donate

How to Donate

You can make a donation in your own name or in someone else's name as a gift. Just include that person's name and email in the notes of your e-transfer so they will receive a thank you!E-transfer your donation to [email protected]. Please put your email in the notes so we can thank you!For alternate ways to donate, please email Lara M., our Fundraising Coordinator, at [email protected].

• Register for the Dec 5 Fundraising Showcase

• Subscribe and Join Malaya Canada