As the world commemorates Mothers’ Day today, the Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), a group of former political prisoners, salutes all women political prisoners, especially mothers among them, for their staunch defense of women’s and people’s rights.

“As they confront State-sponsored and gender-based violence, many Filipina mothers continue to be in the forefront of the struggle against state fascism and authoritarian rule,” said Rosalia Bacarra, the group’s Secretary General.

“But as we honor them, we also condemn this administration’s continuous  attacks against women human rights defenders. This administration has created one of the worst social environment for women through its brazen endorsement of sexual violence against them, its sexism against women critics and its harassment, vilification, illegal arrest and detention of women human rights defenders,” she added.

Bacarra cited the following cases of women political prisoners who are still suffering behind bars:

• Cora Agovida, who was arrested based on planted evidences in front of her two kids;
• Reina Nacino, who was 6 months pregnant when she was arrested with two others in an NGO office in Manila;
• Lilia Bucatcat, a 73-year old political prisoner who was wrongfully convicted and is currently at risk amid the COVID-19 pandemic, given her advanced age;
• Virginia Villamor, a 68-year old political prisoner who was arrested together with her husband, Alberto, and peace consultant Vicente Ladlad; and
• Rowena Rosales, who was illegally arrested with her husband Oliver, and was forced to leave her two children to fend for themselves.

“As we salute these brave Filipinas, we express our solidarity with them as they continue to uphold women’s and people’s rights even in jail,” she ended.