The Mamburao 7, peasant political prisoners of the regime have joined the Filipino people in demanding the release of Angelo dela Cruz and the immediate pull-out of the RP troops in Iraq. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of  Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) “even if our comrades are themselves prisoners they are one with the nation in demanding the release of Angelo. We are also hoping that if Angelo is indeed released, hen the freedom of the Mamburao 7 would be next,”

It can be remembered that the Mamburao detainees have been in jail for more than 5 years for a crime they did not commit. They were accused of killing the sons of Ricardo Quintos the local despotic landlord in Occidental Mindoro. But in reality it was the NPA who was responsible for the killings and have issued statements to prove it.

“Though they know that who they are facing is a very powerful and rich politician , the Mamburao 7 have not wavered and continued to stand for their right to the land they were tilling, much like Angelo whose only dream was to have an honest livelihood,” added Ramos.

We are now here with them wearing white ribbons in solidarity to the call for the freedom of Angelo, but also wearing black armbands in protest of the long delayed release of the Mamburao 7.

“The irony though is that Angelo was only detained for more than a week and he is now to be set free with the so-called help of the government, but in the Mamburao 7’s case it is the government itself who are holding them captive. While GMA had already signed their release papers in 2001 up till now they are still behind bars for a crime they did not commit,” concluded Ramos. # # #
 

KMP - 20 July 2004