IN PHOTOS: Relatives of political prisoners run for freedom

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

IN PHOTOS: Relatives of political prisoners run for freedom

Maria Salvador Tan

Around a hundred relatives of political prisoners run to call for the freedom of 449 political prisoners in the country.

MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of joggers crowded the academic oval at the University of the Philippines-Diliman on December 3, a typical Sunday scene. But for a number of joggers that morning, the run was more than just a physical activity but also a statement, calling for the freedom of 449 political prisoners in the country.

Wearing orange shirts and carrying banners, friends and relatives of political prisoners ran around the state university to make a political statement. 

The symbolic run, titled “Run Free,” condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed crackdown on activists in the country. It is organized by progressive groups Selda and Hustisya. 

According to human rights group Karapatan, there are 449 political prisoners in the country – 121 of which were arrested and detained under the Duterte administration. 

One of the runners is Gloria Almonte, wife of a political prisoner and a former political prisoner herself.

“We will not run away from Duterte’s tyranny. Nobody among us believe that his orders to shoot-to-kill terrorists are only directed at armed revolutionaries…Duterte’s mad spree is running after people who fight for their rights,” Almonte said. (READ: Duterte orders police, military to shoot any armed NPA member

To make a statement in time for the International Human Rights Day on December 10, political prisoners also started their fasting on Sunday.

Here are some photos from the run:

FREEDOM. The 'Run Free' is organized by progressive groups Selda and Hustisya. Photo by Maria Tan/Rappler

POLITICAL STATEMENT. Carrying banners, relatives and kins of political prisoners run around the academic oval to make a political statement. Photo by Maria Tan/Rappler

POLITICAL PRISONERS. According to Karapatan, 121 of the 449 political prisoners were detained under the Duterte administration. Photo by Maria Tan/ Rappler

FREE THEM. Several relatives of political prisoners jog on Sunday, December 2, to call for the freedom of political prisoners in the country. Photo by Maria Tan/Rappler

– Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!