MANILA, April 1, 2008—An international human rights group has asked the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to intervene over health problems facing the prisoners.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said any development would have an impact on the “poor” health conditions of prisoners in the country.

The group said thousands of prisoners remained behind bars for many years, and prison conditions continued to be poor with consistent reports of denial of medical care.

In a statement, the AHRC particularly sought the help of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care in the case of an ailing detainee identified as Lenido Lumanog.

Lumanog, one of the “Abadilla Five,” fears for his life due to inability of the authorities to provide medical assistance.

AHRC executive director Basil Fernando had asked ECPPC chairman Bishop Pedro Arigo to help the detainee obtain the medication and treatment he requires.

"Your prompt intervention would be of extreme importance to this prisoner in need," said Fernando in his letter to Arigo dated March 26.

Lenido, a kidney transplant patient since April 2003, is currently detained the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

His health, the rights group claimed, has since deteriorated due to insufficient medication and treatment. His family is unable to pay the cost for his medication.

Lenido and the four other co-accused Augusto Santos, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Cesar Fortuna, Rameses de Jesus and Joel de Jesus, were convicted by a local court in August 1999 for the murder of a police colonel.

The AHRC expressed concern by the “inadequate” attention Lenido is receiving inside the prison given the severity of his condition.

"He (Lenido) has acquired illness of diabetes, hernia and often experiences difficulty in breathing," Fernando added.

He said there have been occasions when the sick prisoner was prevented from leaving the prison for his regular checkups.

The ECPPC’s help was sought after it was learned that their office has made previous interventions for sick prisoners and also for their advocacy on prison conditions.

The ECPPC earlier hit the government for ignoring the health needs of the prisoners.

ECPPC executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante said many jails and prisons are not able to answer the basic services that prisoners are entitled to.

“The government should address the health conditions of our prisoners. In that way, the prisoners will be served (regardless of their social status),” he said.

He called on the government to also give due attention to prisoners by improving medical facilities of various penal colonies in the country. (Roy Lagarde)

1 April 2008
Link: http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/1654