APCHRP HONORS LEGACY OF LABOR ORGANIZER JUDE RIMANDO, CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
Jude Rimando, a 58-year-old veteran labor organizer and former political prisoner, passed away on the morning of July 23, 2024, at the Philippine General Hospital due to stage 4 liver cancer. His death was a result of inadequate healthcare during his detention, leading to the denial of his right to reunite with his family during his last days. Rimando is among the twelve detainees who have lost their lives while in custody since the onset of COVID-19.
Rimando, while receiving treatment for his liver cirrhosis and sepsis, was unlawfully detained on January 6, 2022, in a rented apartment in Payatas, Quezon City. He was seized by six armed individuals in plain clothes who failed to present a court order, refused to disclose their identities, and planted firearms and a grenade in his bag. Furthermore, they swiftly tampered with the warrant of arrest before his inquest, resulting in the dismissal of the case by the court. He was also blindfolded, subjected to torture, and interrogated.
In his exclusive interview with multimedia group Kodao, he shared that in several courts in the country, he also faced eight other “trumped-up charges” under the name “Allan Morales”. Some of the cases filed against him include “murder” in Mambusaw, Capiz, two counts of “attempted murder”, and three counts of “frustrated murder” in Janiway, Iloilo. Furthermore, a case of “murder and violation of international humanitarian law” in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, is also charged against him. These fabricated cases further locked Rimando in detainment amidst his failing health.
According to Rimando, the military accused him of murdering a member of their Special Forces who was classified as hors de combat. They alleged that he carried out the act under the orders of Jose Maria Sison, Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria, and Roger Posadas, which he found absurd given that he was just a union and labor organizer.
Throughout his life, Rimando devoted himself to raising awareness, organizing, and mobilizing workers and farmers. His activism traces back to his days at the Philippine Science High School and the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he actively opposed the dictatorial regime of Marcos Sr. during martial law. Opting to forego personal comfort, he wholeheartedly served the oppressed Filipino population, dedicating over two decades to researching and advocating for the rights of workers in Cebu.
The coalition honors Jude’s selfless dedication to the oppressed and exploited. Ka Jude embodied unwavering resilience. According to KARAPATAN, as Rimando’s body weakened these past few days, he expressed, “I am happy with the life I have lived and the rich experiences I have gained in the struggle,” emphasizing his contentment with his life’s journey and the valuable lessons learned through his activism. As we mourn, the call for the release of the 754 political prisoners, dismissal of fabricated cases against activists, accountability for notorious red-tagging agencies like NTF-ELCAC, and the repeal of oppressive laws such as the Terror Law persists. These are the root causes of terror-tagging, vilification of activists, and the previous regime’s atrocities under Duterte and now under Marcos Jr. in their nefarious schemes and state-sponsored killings of the people.
