Relatives of political prisoners and detainees led by Glenda “Jojo” Itaas, the wife of Juanito Itaas convicted for the Col. James Rowe killing in 1989, and the human rights organization Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) appeal for P-Noy to consider the release of their detained loved ones and all political prisoners/detainees in his SONA declaration on July 26, 2010.

In the morning of July 26, the group released hundreds of doves and dozens of balloons with a vertical banner containing their call to free all political prisoners in front of Ever Gotesco in Commonwealth Avenue near Batasan.  “This is to symbolize and express our appeal to President Aquino.  We are hoping that he considers the release of Juanito Itaas and all political prisoners in his SONA declaration,” Jonal Javier, program coordinator of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines said.

Hamon sa unang SONA ni P-Noy: Ibangon ang dignidad at karapatang pantao ng Pinoy

Ang matuwid na daan ay isang pamamahalang may paggalang, may proteksiyon at nagsasakatuparan ng karapatang pantao ng kanyang mamamayan.  Mula sa karapatang pang-ekonimiya, sosyal at pangkultura hanggang sa sibil pulitikal, ito ang hamon natin kay Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino III sa kanyang unang SONA.    

Ang Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) ay kasama ng mamamayan sa paghamon sa ating bagong pangulo na huwag tumulad sa nakaraang administrasyon na walang sinserong programa para sa karapatang pantao. Na sa siyam na taong panunungkulan ay ni walang anumang banggit hinggil sa karapatang pantao sa kanyang mga SONA, bagkus ay nagpaparangal pa sa mga berdugo at nagwawasiwas ng mga polisiyang tumatapak sa dignidad ng mamamayan.

Press Release                        
July 22, 2010
Glenda Itaas with son. Photo Rommel Yamzon

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and 100 strong members of the Free All Political Prisoners/Detainees Campaign Network launch their “White Ribbon for Freedom Campaign” by holding a peaceful and symbolic tying of white ribbons to the barbed wire fences blocking the Mendiola entrance to Malacañang.  They call for President Aquino to release Juanito Itaas and all other political prisoners.

The group accompanies Glenda “Jojo” Itaas and her children to the Office of the President in sending a letter of appeal urging President Benigno Aquino III to use his good will and executive power to release and end the 21 long years of political imprisonment of her husband Juanito Itaas.  He was arrested in 1989 and was convicted for the killing of Col. James Rowe, an American Military Official.