A political prisoners’ life and struggles inside prison

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)

Food is okay but not enough, said Acosta, with only P20 budget for meals of each prisoner. They are given uncooked rice which they themselves cook. They usually have fish but they rarely have vegetables. “Those who have visitors receive additional supply. Those who are not visited by relatives are most unfortunate. They sell their ration of rice to buy coffee and other personal needs,” Acosta said.

“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/