APCHRP PRESS RELEASE: The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) expresses grave dismay towards the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) because of its recent decision to permanently ban Kapatid Spokesperson Fides Lim from visiting prison camps.
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) expresses grave dismay towards the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) because of its recent decision to permanently ban Kapatid Spokesperson Fides Lim from visiting prison camps. Lim, wife of political detainee Vicente Ladlad, and many others, including church people, have been providing material and moral support towards political prisoners, most of whom have been illegally arrested. Many have also fabricated charges and/or planted evidence against them.
“Already incarcerated because of their political convictions and defense of human rights, already experiencing unfair and intolerable conditions behind bars, political prisoners are again experiencing another inhumane treatment in this ban of a representative of their families and allies,” said Sister Patricia Fox, APCHRP Spokesperson.
Persons deprived of liberty and political prisoners in the country experience one of the worst prison conditions in the world. According to the United Nations, the country is the third worst in jail and prison overcrowding. Moreover, it has been a scheme under different presidents to have many political detainees. Under the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., there have been 160 political prisoners imprisoned under his watch. There are a total of 745 political prisoners as of March 2025, according to Karapatan. Political prisoners have been known to be advocates for human rights and welfare in the Philippines.
“This action against Lim is clearly politically motivated,” said Fox. “This is both cowardice and impunity from the current administration. The government seems afraid and unwilling to heed the legitimate social and economic demands of the marginalized Filipino and uses fascist maneuvers to threaten those who stand for these rights,” she added.
APCHRP hopes for fair treatment among prisoners and for the state to stop the illegal arrests against the advocates for land, just wages and jobs, education, healthcare, and public housing. “We are dismayed that this treatment happens against political prisoners and their families while notorious criminals and human rights violators like General Jovito Palparan, responsible for the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, receive preferable treatment like being in Minimum Security,” Fox said.
“We hope that the Department of Justice and BuCor reverse their decision against Lim and ease the red tape that deprives families and loved ones to provide material and moral support. Moreover, we hope that illegal arrests would stop in a country already plagued by infamy. Free all political prisoners and let human rights violators be the ones behind jail!” Fox ended.
For Reference: Sr. Patricia Fox
APCHRP Spokesperson
