Thursday, October 6, 2011

Kumustahan mula sa Piitan


KUMUSTAHAN MULA SA PIITAN
a gathering of artists to free ERICSON ACOSTA

October 14, 2011, 3pm
NCCA building lobby
633 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila

Ericson Acosta is a poet, songwriter, thespian, journalist and cultural worker. He was a former editor of the Philippine Collegian and culture writer of the Manila Times. As an artist and activist, he chose to work with the poor and the oppressed.

Ericson was arrested while conducting human rights research in Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar on February 13, 2011. He was detained in a military camp and subjected to 44- hours of interrogation with only two hours of sleep. His interrogators threatened to kill him. In a statement on Acosta's detention, the Amnesty International said death threats and prolonged sleep deprivation for the purpose of interrogation violate the United Nation's Convention Against Torture, which the Philippine government ratified in 1986. He is currently detained at the Calbayog sub-provincial jail.

Ericson was accompanied by a barangay official and was carrying only a laptop and some personal belongings upon his arrest. He was levied with a trumped-up charge of illegal possession of explosive to justify his arrest and continued detention. His rights continue to be violated each day he spends in prison.

A Petition for Review filed by Acosta's legal counsel, the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) is pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ). His family and supporters urge DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima to act promptly and withdraw the charges against Acosta.

To press for Acosta's immediate release, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines will hold a gathering of artists entitled "Kumustahan mula sa Piitan," on October 14, 2011, 3pm at the lobby of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) building, 633 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila.

For details, please feel free to contact:

CONCERNED ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office Number: 02 - 4363683 ; 0908884 1170 (Walkie) ; 09497973556 (Ryan)

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
www.ncca.gov.ph / Trunkline: o2 - 5272192




No comments:

Post a Comment