Press Release
May 19, 2011
The Medical Action Group, Inc. (MAG), a health and human rights organization, calls for full probe of the suspected act of leaving prison without a pass and allegedly receiving a VIP treatment in the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) of former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste. MAG beholds this act to be highly questionable notwithstanding Leviste’s right as a living-out prisoner. MAG critically analyzes, on its health and human rights perspective, the security breach of NBP and the probable mishandling of prisoners and detainees’ custody and their release processes.
MAG, in close collaboration with the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and other human rights groups, calls the immediate release of Mariano Umbrero, 63, a political prisoner incarcerated), who currently endures Stage IV Non-Small Cell Carcinoma to His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III. MAG urges the administration to seriously look into Umbrero’s case and order his immediate discharge from imprisonment.
“Tatay Umbrero’s case should be addressed instantly without any forms of delay,” MAG’s Executive Director, Edeliza Hernandez, RN said. “MAG strongly advocates his release due to humanitarian grounds specified in the Republic Act 9851 or the International Humanitarian Law.
“We cry to our good President the release Umbrero and give him the dignity of living his life with the arms of his family and loved ones. His terminally-ill disease would have been treated if he was given adequate, quality and prompt medical attention and health care,” Hernandez added.
MAG still pursues and currently presses Bureau of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to immediately grant any form of executive clemency for Mariano Umbrero due to humanitarian grounds, suffering from a debilitating disease and old age as formally endorsed and prescribed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC). # # #