Led by Karapatan, progressive groups, volunteers, and human rights advocates held successive visits to political prisoners from April to July in different parts of the country.

Data from Karapatan states there are 560 political prisoners nationwide, 172 of them arrested under the Marcos regime. Most are peasants and peasant organizers. Of these, 103 are women, 77 are elderly, and 73 are sickly. Four are minors. Prisoners include 10 National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants and staff.

Karapatan paralegals visited political prisoners in Cagayan Valley on April to get updates on the fabricated cases filed against them and inquire about their condition. The region has 21 political prisoners, all from the peasant sector and rights advocates.

Members of Karapatan and Hustisya visited the political prisoners in Occidental Mindoro in May. Occidental and Oriental Mindoro hold 22 political prisoners—all victims of fabricated cases.

Members of the Karapatan National Office and Southern Mindanao Chapter, Health Action for Human Rights, and the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao visited political prisoners detained in Caraga and Soccsksargen in June to check on their condition and the status of the fabricated cases against them. At least 127 political prisoners are being held in these regions.

Former classmates of Dr. Ana Rilloraza from UP Manila College of Medicine Class of 1993, and friends from the “Free Ana! Free Marc!” Campaign visited Doc Ana at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail in the town of Bantay. They also provided free medical consultation for the prisoners. Doc Ana then narrated her arrest together with seven others, known as the Cordillera 8. She also shared her reflections on life inside detention.

Human rights defenders, volunteers, and paralegals visited more than 30 political prisoners at New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. SELDA, the organization of former political prisoners in the Philippines, organized the visit. The political prisoners came from Cordillera, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, and Southern Mindanao. Most are peasants, workers, community organizers, activists, and human rights defenders who have been imprisoned for years after being convicted in cases that are considered fabricated.

The political prisoners shared with the visitors their continuing court battles, the hardships they endure in prison conditions, and their firm hope that one day they will regain freedom and rejoin the struggle of the people.

Groups also visited 10 political prisoners at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Hustisya, the organization of relatives and friends of victims of human rights violations, arranged the visit.

Prisoners told stories of in-prison struggle and triumph political amidst laughter and tears. All of them are currently studying through ALS and other prison programs. One of them joined a pageant, while others make keychains from beads and crocheted flowers to earn a living.