While weak from the effects of the hunger strike, political prisoner
Ericson Acosta relates how he adjusted to life in prison, the
difficulties being faced by his co-inmates who come from families of
peasants and workers, and the struggles of political prisoners under an
administration that remains deaf , mute, and blind to their situation.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
CALBAYOG CITY, Western Samar – Poet-musician Ericson Acosta
asked his eight-year-old son Emannuel what the young boy thought about
his incarceration. Instead of a direct answer, Eman said: “Isn’t it
that Jose Rizal was also imprisoned?”
“Good,” Acosta said. That was his son’s first visit at the Calbayog Sub-Provincial Jail weeks after Acosta was arrested
on February 13 in Bgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar by elements of the
34th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army. The military
publicly branded him as a high-ranking officer of the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) in the province and was charged with illegal
possession of explosives. It has been almost ten months since. In the
days that followed, Eman joined fund-raising activities for the campaign
for the release of his father and other political prisoners.
“One time, he distributed Free Ericson Acosta pins to his classmates.
When one asked what it was all about, he joked ‘Free. It’s for free.’
Seriously, he even seems proud,” Acosta told Bulatlat.com in an interview inside prison, Dec. 7.
“On his second visit, he played the guitar and sang the songs I
wrote,” Acosta said, his eyes shining. The guitar was his birthday gift.
“I was told before that he was not using it so I was really surprised
when he played it.”
Despite not having eaten anything for the past five days, Acosta’s
mind remains lucid. Rehydration fluids have been keeping whatever
physical energy is left of him. Visits, letters and support from friends
sustain his spirit.
“I have difficulty sleeping. I’m feeling groggy,” Acosta said. He
began his hunger strike Dec. 3 and will continue until the eve of Dec.
10, the International Human Rights Day.
“When I rose up from my bed last night, I told my co- inmates,
‘Earthquake!’ They told me, ‘No! That is just hunger.” There are nine
other detainees in his cell.
Unlike most detention facilities, the provincial jail is not
overcrowded. The designated receiving area is itself a detention cell
for women detainees.
There are no multiple-deck beds. Acosta sleeps on a big wooden bed he
shares with the other prisoners. In other cells, some prisoners have to
sleep on the floor due to lack of facilities.
Ericson Acosta attends the hearing of his case at the Regional Trial Court Branch 41 of Gandara, Samar, Dec. 8(Photo Ronalyn V. Olea / Bulatlat.com)
“Sometimes, I feel the embarrassment of the rich. I share whatever is given me to other inmates,” Acosta, who has the most visits, said.
Acosta also shares his thoughts to other inmates. It has been their morning habit to discuss the evening’s news, sharing their views on issues. “Most of them resemble persons I know,” he said. Having been a peasant organizer for years, Acosta instinctively discussed problems in society and the cause he is fighting for. Most of the detainees are farmers and workers..... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/09/a-political-prisoners-life-and-struggles-inside-prison/
