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Free Jaime Tadeo: Political Prisoner

By VVAW

The Philippine Workers Solidarity Committee (PWSC) calls for the immediate release of Jaime Tadeo and other political prisoners in the Philippines.

PWSC—Chicago has launched a campaign for the release of Jaime Tadeo and other political prisoners in the Philippines.Tadeo's arrest stemmed from his supposed involvement in a 1982 case of alleged misuse of funds, one week after he led a peaceful demonstration criticizing the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on inaction, and occurred just two days prior to the 3rd National Congress of the Peasant Movement of the Philippines (Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas). Tadeo is currently serving a 20 year prison term at the New Bilibid Penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

President Fidel V. Ramos, on his December 10th Human Rights Day speech, stated that his administration is working for the scrapping of the Anti-Subversion Law, Republic Act 1700. This would allow all opposition groups, including the communist party, to exist. He even approved guidelines for the immediate release and non-prosecutions of those who have been imprisoned for subversion or rebellion. True to his words indeed! There are still more than 300 political prisoners in jails throughout the country due to the government's tactic of convicting all suspected subversives of common crimes such as murder, robbery, arson and illegal possession of firearms in furtherance of rebellion. The railroading of Jaime Tadeo is but one vivid example of how loopholes can be made regarding this so-called benevolent gesture by the present administration.

In the U.S., Caesar Chaves and the United Farmworkers are a symbol of the Farmworkers' fight for agrarian reform. Jaime Tadeo is a voice for the same constituency in the Philippines. But Chaves is not in prison. Tadeo is.

On behalf of the PWSC, we are seeking the help of VVAW members. Please support the release of Jaime Tadeo by sending letters to:

Pres. Fidel V Ramos
Malacanag Palace
J.P. Laurle Street
San Miguel, MLa. Philippines
Secretary Ernesto Garilao
Department of Agrarian Reform
Quezon City, Phil.

Salamat Po, (thank you)

Gildo Robles
PWSD—Chicago
4402 N. Hermitage
Chicago, IL 60640