Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR) calls for the immediate release on recognizance of political prisoner Ernesto Jude Rimando based on humanitarian grounds.
Rimando is confined at the Philippine General Hospital, diagnosed to have Stage 4 liver cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary tuberculosis. On June 19, 2024, Atty. Kristian Lora of the Visayas Community Law Center filed the petition on behalf of Rimando at Carmen, Bohol Regional Trial Court Branch 51. Recognizance is a mode of securing the release of any person in custody or detention for a commission of an offense who is unable to post bail due to abject poverty (Republic Act 10389).
Rimando was illegally arrested on trumped-up charges on January 6, 2021 in Quezon City while undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis and sepsis. Before his arrest, he was a long-time researcher for the Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo in Cebu.
Based on the report of Karapatan, Rimando was arrested by six armed men in plain clothes who failed to present a warrant and refused to identify themselves. He was blindfolded, tortured and interrogated on the spot. The arresting team also planted firearms and a grenade in his belongings and prepared a hastily revised arrest warrant in the name of “Allan Morales” prior to his inquest.
The court dismissed the charges on illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Rimando, however, is still detained on other charges under the name of “Allan Morales.”
According to his attending physician, Rimando is already at the Terminal Stage of both his Liver Cancer and Liver Cirrhosis where treatment is no longer possible. His medications have side effects on his liver which will instead pose more danger to the patient.
Rimando is bedridden and cannot get out of the bed on his own.
Rimando needs palliative care which is not possible in a jail setting. Palliative care entails 24/7 medical attention which the jails cannot provide. He also needs emotional support, less stress or stress-free environment.
HAHR believes that Rimando’s health condition is a “special, humanitarian and compelling circumstance” which is a strong basis for his immediate release on recognizance.
More importantly, Rimando deserves release for being a victim of false arrest, planted evidence, perjured testimonies and multiple other human rights violations. #
