š·Gerardo Dela PeƱa (center) holds up his “Certificate of Discharge from Prisonā at the holding center of the external relations section of the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa, June 30, 2024
Gerardo Dela PeƱa, the country’s oldest political prisoner at 85 years old, finally walked out of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City last night, June 30 at 9:30 p.m., following a relentless campaign by human rights groups pressing for his release on legal and humanitarian grounds.
Thin and frail, he carried a small bag containing his meager possessions and “Certificate of Discharge from Prison” signed by the Bureau of Corrections, dated June 29, 2024.
He was released from the NBP’s external relations holding area to his son Melchor Dela PeƱa who traveled from Bicol to pick him up, accompanied by Fides Lim, spokesperson of Kapatid, the support group for political prisoners which pushed his urgent release due to his advanced age and deteriorating health.
A former head of the SELDA Camarines Norte chapter, Dela PeƱa was arrested on March 21, 2013 and convicted at age 75 for a murder case despite evidence supporting his innocence and the admission of responsibility by the New People’s Army. Throughout his incarceration, he maintained his innocence and continued to advocate for human rights.
“We are very happy that Tatay Gerry can finally return home to his family and reunite with his wife Pilar in their twilight years. His release is a milestone for human rights campaigns, but also serves as a stark reminder of the obstacles that impede the release of political prisoners,” said Lim.
“Tatay Gerry’s journey to freedom was very difficult because of systemic challenges and bureaucratic delays. It’s concerning why the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) could not immediately implement its own Board Resolution No. OT-08-02-2023 allowing executive clemency for prisoners who have reached 70 years old and served ten years of their sentence,” Lim noted.
“In reaction to our persistent lobbying, the BPP wrote us that on March 8, 2024 they recommended the commutation of Tatay Gerry’s sentence to twelve years, pursuant to that same BPP resolution amending the rules on parole and executive clemency,” said Lim.
“The fact is, Tatay Gerry had already overserved his commuted sentence, serving exactly 12 years and 2 months as of June 12, aside from the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) he accrued. Every additional minute behind bars is a gross injustice for an innocent man.”
“The release of political prisoner Gerardo Dela PeƱa is a testament to the power of perseverance, vigilance and community in overcoming challenges. We extend our heartfelt thanks in particular to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla for facilitating his release, the Commission on Human Rights for its unwavering support, and everyone here and abroad who helped in this collective effort,” said Lim. | Kapatid| Facebook
