Launch of Ericson Acosta's "Mula Tarima Hanggang"

Mula Tarima Hanggang at iba pang mga tula at awit
Benefit Book Launch, Poetry Reading & Jam for the country's more than 500 political prisoners

April 16, 2015  | Thursday, 4 PM
UP Main Library, University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
 
Mula Tarima Hanggang at iba pang mga tula at awit by Ericson Acosta will be sold at a special launch price of Php 350 (Regular Price Php 400). Part of the proceeds will go to the campaign to Free All Political Prisoners in the Philippines.

To reserve copies of the book, please email freeericsonacosta@gmail.com | contact 09299562333 | or send a Facebook message to the Free Ericson Acosta page.

Click the link to view the Facebook event page for the Launch of Ericson Acosta's "Mula Tarima Hanggang"

Statement of People’s Art Network and ICPC on 1st anniversary of detention of artist and political activist Ericson Acosta

February 13, 2012 — Bound by our commitment to people’s rights forged in the International Conference on Progressive Culture (ICPC) held in Manila in July 2011, we join our fellow artists, writers and cultural workers in the Philippines and beyond in their clamour to release Filipino artist Ericson Acosta from unjust detention.

Ericson Acosta was arrested by the Philippine military in Samar province one year ago on February 13, 2011. Ericson is known to his peers at the University of the Philippines as a poet, thespian, singer and journalist. He was an active member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines during its re-establishment in the last decade. He was seized during a visit to Bay-ang in San Jorge, Samar, a highly-militarized village, as a volunteer researcher on human rights and the environment for a local peasant group. Such arrests have become commonplace under the US-inspired Oplan Bayanihan counterinsurgency plan that targets civilians working with the poor and underprivileged.

We admire Acosta’s unwavering commitment to the cause of justice and freedom as an artist and cultural worker. It is this sense of responsibility to people and society that has led him to work in the grassroots and create art with the people.

Even in detention, Ericson Acosta continues to craft poetry and songs highlighting the plight of political prisoners in the country. Online, his prison diary JAILHOUSE BLOG and the PRISON SESSIONS recording of his songs from behind bars have generated interest from listeners and readers around the globe. His work as an artist and activist is recognized by various cultural and human rights groups in the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe.

We urge Philippine authorities to free Ericson Acosta immediately as we reaffirm our pledge to create people’s art and work to shape the society of the future.

The People’s Art Network, which was established following the ICPC, believes that, like Ericson Acosta, artists must go to the grassroots and bring art to our communities, to the people, to our people. Artists must resist curtailment of our freedom of expression, fight for the peoples’ rights and welfare, remember our history and ancestors and continue their struggles for freedom and walk along with our peoples to end injustice in our world.

Oppose attacks on artists and cultural workers, particularly those facing repression, imprisonment and worse due to the link between their art and their involvement in the people’s struggle.

FREE THE ARTIST!

FREE ERICSON ACOSTA!

FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Jan. 23 Statements of Gary King and Free Ericson Acosta Campaign

Gary King, PhD of Amnesty International-Minneapolis



National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera



Playwright Malou Jacob


videos courtesy of Kodao Philippines

FREE ERICSON ACOSTA NOW!

DETAINED ARTIST ERICSON ACOSTA ENDED HIS HUNGER STRIKE DECEMBER 10, amidst initial assurances that government is heeding the demand to look into his case and that of other political prisoners. Acosta was visited in jail by representatives of the Commission on Human Rights-Region 8 (CHR-8) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Acosta’s family and the network of artists, friends and advocates behind the Free Ericson Acosta Campaign (FEAC), appeal once again to concerned Philippine authorities to free Ericson Acosta and all political prisoners immediately.

In August 2011, the Amnesty International (AI) released a statement urging authorities to “end Acosta’s detention without trial.” After six months in detention, the international human rights group expressed concern that Acosta, like “anyone subject to arrest or detention is ‘entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release.’” The AI also pointed out rights violations in the conduct of Acosta’s arrest and detention. “Death threats and prolonged sleep deprivation for the purpose of interrogation violate the international prohibition against torture and other ill-treatment. These practices violate the Convention against Torture, which the Philippines has ratified… The Philippine authorities must investigate these allegations and hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ) since September 1, 2011 is the Petition for Review of the illegal possession of explosive complaint against Acosta. Aside from the Petition filed by his counsel the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), the FEAC network also submitted before the Office of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, several statements of support for Acosta’s release signed by hundreds of artists, journalists and human rights advocates; and publicly released by different groups and individuals. The filing of the Review Petition and the artists’ protest held outside the DOJ premises that day were supported by no less than then-Executive Director of the government-run National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), acclaimed playwright Malou Jacob.

While detained in a civilian facility, Acosta continues to suffer harassment and intimidation from the military. Since July, a platoon of soldiers from the 87^th IB was deployed near the Calbayog sub-provincial jail in the pretext of military operations. Today a squad of soldiers from the 14^th IB, apparently deployed to guard Acosta, has literally set up camp within the jail compound. The prosecution’s recent motion to transfer Acosta’s custody we believe is based on an imagined, if not engineered threat, and tramples upon civilian authority. Acosta’s court appearances are all scheduled to be held in Calbayog City, making the motion obviously impractical as Catbalogan is hours away from Calbayog. Transferring Acosta will make visits more difficult and prone to military surveillance for his family and supporters. Military deployment inside the civilian facility is highly irregular as it is, and the plan to transfer Acosta to a soldier town like Catbalogan is completely unacceptable. Acosta has had enough suffering in detention to be violated several times over with overkill security arrangements.

Human rights groups have long called on President Aquino to free all political prisoners in the country. They lament the continuing practice of criminalization of political offenses, and cite the campaign for unconditional amnesty as goodwill measure for the peace talks between the government and rebel groups to move forward. Some 38 congressmen have already signed House Resolution 1956 citing the case of Ericson Acosta and urging President Aquino to grant unconditional amnesty to all political prisoners.

Acosta’s family and supporters continue to appeal to concerned Philippine authorities, along with the Amnesty International, the NCCA, the University Council of University of the Philippines, Diliman, the Philippine Center of the International PEN and several other artist and human rights organizations and institutions around the world such as the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines-United Kingdom, the Rice and Rights Network in the Netherlands, Habi Arts USA, etc., have all made public their appeal to the Philippine government to release Acosta and to look into the irregularities and rights violations in the conduct of his arrest and detention. Acosta was even cited finalist of the 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize at the Freedom to Create Awards Festival in Cape Town, South Africa in November, for the contribution of his work in promoting the creative spirit while highlighting injustice.

Nearly a year has passed since cultural worker Ericson Acosta was arrested by the military in Samar on February 13, 2011. He was tortured, interrogated for 44 hours straight and held incommunicado for three days before a fabricated charge of illegal possession of explosive was levied against him to justify his arrest and continued detention. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying only a laptop and some personal belongings and was accompanied by a local barangay official as a volunteer researcher of the peasant group Kapunungan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Weste han Samar (KAPAWA), a member-organization of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). Philippine authorities must end his unjust detention. FREE ERICSON ACOSTA NOW!

Statement of Gary W. King, PhD

Leader of Minneapolis Chapter of Amnesty International, USA

Working on Philippine Prisoners of Conscience since 1976

Amnesty International is the world’s largest group working to abolish torture, and seeking fair and speedy trials for political prisoners,, especially for Prisoners of Conscience, which are persons detained, mistreated or killed for their nonviolent political activities, economic activities, religious orientation, cultural group, or other category. We gather facts from many sources, and report on countries’ human rights performances and specific human rights conditions. Our volunteers use this data to bring public pressure on governments to live up to their laws and treaty obligations.

People in our chapter of Amnesty International have volunteered work on dozens of cases of detention of political prisoners and on cases of Extrajudicial Executions and Disappearances since 1976, across now six administrations of the Philippine government.

We are currently working on the case of the Disappearance of James Balao, from the Cordillera People’s Alliance, and the imprisonment of Ericson Acosta in Samar.

James Balao was abducted near his home on September 17, 2008, by uniformed, armed men who said they were police from Baguio. They forced him into a white van. He had reported being under surveillance for the three prior months. Despite filing for a writ of amparo, and several favorable court rulings, he has not been surfaced. The Philippine Commission on Human Rights learned he was seen in an army camp. He has had an Enforced Disappearance, and we fear he has minimally suffered cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. At worst, he may have been executed without a trial.

Ericson Acosta, 37, was arrested almost a year ago on February 13, 2011, in San Jose, Samar. To this day, he has not had one day in court, and the prosecutor has not filed a formal complaint, despite charges in Gandara, Western Samar that he possessed illegal explosives. In violation of the Speedy Trial Act (RA8493), he was not arraigned within 180 days.

Of serious concern to Amnesty International, Mr. Acosta reported that he was abused for 44 hours during interrogation soon after his arrest. He was allowed only two hours of sleep. He was threatened that he would be executed. Death threats and prolonged sleep deprivation during interrogation violate international laws against torture and other ill-treatment, including the Convention Against Torture, which the Philippines has ratified. Any statements made by him at that time, also without the benefit of legal counsel, are inadmissible in court.

In our opinion, he should be immediately be charged and his rights of trial begun, or he should be released. An investigation into his mistreatment needs to be done, and if laws were broken, those responsible held accountable to Philippine laws.

Jan 23 Presscon with Gary King, Amnesty Int'l Minneapolis

FREE THE ARTIST! FREE ERICSON ACOSTA NOW!

PRESS CONFERENCE

Monday, January 23, 2012, 1pm

BAYAN Conference Hall

4/F Erythrina Bldg., Matatag cor Maaralin Sts.,

Barangay Central, Quezon City (near KFC Matalino St.)

with Gary King

Amnesty International USA Minneapolis chapter leader

National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera

of the Philippine Center of the International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines

Atty. Jun Oliva, National Union of People's Lawyers

Angie Ipong, former political prisoner and secretary general of SELDA

MEDIA COVERAGE IS REQUESTED WITH PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

Nearly a year has passed since cultural worker Ericson Acosta was arrested by the military in Samar on February 2011. He was tortured, interrogated for 44 hours straight and held incommunicado for three days before a fabricated charge of illegal possession of explosive was levied against him to justify his arrest and continued detention. A Petition for Review filed by his lawyers on September 2011 is still pending before the Department of Justice.

Acosta was named finalist of the 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize at the Freedom to Create Awards Festival in Cape Town, South Africa in November for the raw recording "Prison Sessions." Since his arrest in February, the Amnesty International, the Center for Human Rights in the Philippine-United Kingdom, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, the Philippine Center of the International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) and other concerned groups have called on the Philippine authorities to promptly review Acosta's case to effect his immediate release.

Gary King, an Amnesty International chapter leader from Minneapolis, USA, has done research on Philippine human rights cases since 1976.

He is in Manila to look into the case of artist Ericson Acosta and other current human rights cases in the Philippines.

read the Amnesty International statement on Ericson Acosta

DECEMBER 6 HUNGER STRIKE BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN DEC 6, 2011:

ON 3^RD DAY OF DETAINED ARTIST ACOSTA'S HUNGER STRIKE:

SUPPORTERS DEMAND PULL-OUT

OF TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN CIVILIAN JAIL

The Free Ericson Acosta Campaign (FEAC) will join CampoutPH which starts in Mendiola today.

TODAY IS THE THIRD DAY OF DETAINED ARTIST ERICSON ACOSTA'S HUNGER STRIKE. The Free Ericson Acosta Campaign (FEAC) today received this update from one of its convenors, Renato Reyes Jr. of BAYAN:

"Just came from Calbayog court. The prosecution wants Ericson transferred to the Catbalogan Jail (near the headquarters of the AFP's 8th Infantry Division), even if all his hearings will be in Calbayog. They fear that Ericson will be rescued by the NPA if he stays in Calbayog. Jail security is tight. There is an army squad camped out literally outside the window of the prison receiving area where we met. CHR Calbayog says it will look into the AFP detachment beside the jail."

The FEAC demands the pull out of the highly irregular, if not illegal, military deployment at the Samar sub-provincial jail in Calbayog, a civilian detention facility. According to Acosta, a platoon of soldiers from the 87^th IB were first deployed in the nearby barrio since July in the pretext of military operations. Today, a squad from the 14th IB loiters inside the facility’s premises listening in to Acosta's conversations with visitors. The military troops also impose on the guards to show them records of prison visitors.

Acosta says that it is necessary to maintain the civilian nature of the Samar sub-provincial jail. “It is also a challenge for civilian authorities to assert their power over these military ‘invaders.’”

The troop deployment and overkill security arrangement during Acosta’s first court appearance where he was made to ride the jail vehicle as a lone detainee in the midst of soldiers in full battle gear “are symptoms of one affliction." “Fascism is the most dangerous type of paranoia,” Acosta said.

Acosta is scheduled to appear in court on December 8, 2011. His counsel, a group of lawyers from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, will once again move to defer proceedings pending the DOJ’s decision on Acosta’s review petition filed last September 1. The motion to transfer custody of the Acosta is also scheduled to be heard, but the NUPL has yet to receive a copy of the motion.

Instead of wasting government and military resources with Acosta's security arrangements, the FEAC reiterates its appeal to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw fabricated charges of illegal possession of explosives lodged against him, and to effect Acosta’s release from detention immediately.

“Malaki ang aking pag-asang bibigyan aksyon ng DOJ ang kaso ni Ericson. Manalig tayo dito," said playwright Malou Jacob who as Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), personally appeared at the DOJ to support the filing of Acosta’s review petition

“Sawang-sawa na ako sa kalaboso!” Acosta said in support of CampoutPH which will commence today at the Mendiola Bridge in Manila.

ERICSON ACOSTA IS ON HUNGER STRIKE!

SUPPORT!

Through your help, we can see to it that Ericson will be reunited with his family and the people he serves.

You may donate through the account:

Isaias Acosta
BDO The Block SM City North branch
Savings Account # 0251065464

For international donations:

Isaias Acosta

BDO The Block SM City North branch
Savings Account: 00-0251065464
Routing #: 021000089
Swiftcode: BNORPHMM

Detained artist Ericson Acosta begins his hunger strike today, December 3, 2011, as part of the campaign to free all political prisoners in the country. Acosta’s hunger strike intends to expose the particular circumstances of his arrest and continued unjust detention.

Acosta’s supporters have called on authorities, particularly the DOJ, to immediately withdraw the fabricated illegal possession of explosive complaint lodged by the military against the poet. Acosta stresses that it utterly baseless for him to undergo a full-blown trial for this trumped-up charge. Instead, he says it is he who should have the right to charge the state elements responsible for violations of his human rights.

One of his particular demands is to pull out the highly irregular if not illegal presence of a squad of military men near his place of detention. A platoon of soldiers from the 87^th IB were first deployed in the nearby barrio since July in the pretext of military operations, but it has become apparent that the soldiers are there to “guard” Acosta. Anakpawis party-list Representative Rafael Mariano in his recent visit to the Calbayog jail directly witnessed how soldiers listen in to Acosta’s conversations with visitors.

It is necessary to maintain the civilian nature of the Samar sub-provincial jail. It is also a challenge for civilian authorities to assert their power over these military “invaders.” This troop deployment, and the overkill security arrangement during Acosta’s first court appearance where he was made to ride the jail vehicle as a lone detainee in the midst of soldiers in full battle gear “(these) are symptoms of one affliction of paranoia named Fascism.”

“Fascism is the most dangerous type of paranoia,” Acosta said.

­ C A S E T I M E L I N E

February 13, 2011 – While on his way to San Jorge town from Barangay Bay-ang proper around 10 am, Acosta was arrested without warrant by elements of the 34^th IBPA led by 2^nd Lt. Jacob Madarang. Acosta was accompanied by a barangay official and was carrying only a laptop and some personal belongings at the time of his arrest. With threats, soldiers instructed Acosta’s companions from the barrio to carry on, as they were only interested with the “Tagalog” whom they suspected of being a high-ranking NPA rebel. Acosta was conducting human rights research in the militarized barrio for Kapunungan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Weste han Samar (KAPAWA – Small Peasants Association of Western Samar) and the Alliance of Concerned Samarenos (ACOS).

Acosta was brought to the 34^th IB Charlie detachment in Brgy. Blanca Aurora, San Jorge. They arrive at about 9pm. Acosta was interrogated, coerced and tortured for 44 hours straight with only 2 hours of sleep. He was denied communication to his family as well as access to a lawyer, despite his repeated assertion of his rights. Arresting military officers file a report on Acosta’s arrest on the same day.

February 15 – Around 7pm, Acosta was brought to the PNP Municipal Headquarters in San Jorge. While Acosta was still in the vehicle with military escorts, a grenade was presented by the military to the police. Inside the building, Acosta was later told by police officers that he was being charged with illegal possession of explosive. He was brought to a hospital for medico-legal procedure and was detained overnight at the PNP San Jorge.

February 16 – Police completes the blotter procedure against Acosta. He was brought to the Calbayog Hall of Justice around 9am by military escorts in civilian clothes. Acosta was finally able to call his family when he asserted his rights in front of civilian employees in the building. A complaint of illegal possession of explosive signed by the San Jorge PNP Chief Oscar Pagulayan was directly filed to the Regional Trial Court of Gandara, Samar, Branch 41 at 10:30 am, or seventy two (72) hours and thirty (30) minutes after Acosta’s arrest on February 13, 10 am. Acosta was then remitted to the Calbayog sub-provincial jail around 1:30 pm.

February 17 – The AFP publicizes the capture of a “top ranking CPP personality,” Ericson Acosta aka “August Lim.” The AFP releases state that “..troops recovered from Acosta one (1) laptop notebook with complete accessories and spare battery, an external hard drive, Globe tattoo (USB globe broadband), one (1) unit Nokia 3530, 6 pcs SIM cards, a cash amounting to Four Thousand Eight Hundred pesos (P4, 800.00) only and his personal belongings.” As for the grenade subject of the illegal possession complaint, reports said that “(Acosta) … attempted to draw a hand grenade from his pocket.”

March 1 –The Acting Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Gandara, Samar, Branch 41, Hon. Subanah E. Usman, instead of issuing a Commitment Order, issues an Order referring the case to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Calbayog City for Preliminary Investigation.

April 11 – Acosta through his counsel, a legal team from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) led by Atty. Jun Oliva, files his counter-affidavit, which states: "a. He was arrested without warrant while not committing any crime or doing anything illegal; b. He was not informed of the reason for his arrest at the time of his arrest; c. He was denied the right to counsel; d. He was denied a phone call and prevented from contacting his family or his lawyer; e. He was subjected to prolonged interrogation for 44 hours; f. During tactical interrogation, he was physically and psychologically tortured; g. He was deprived of sleep, threatened, intimidated, coerced and forced to admit membership in the NPA; h. The grenade subject of the case was planted; i. The complaint against him was filed in court only after 72 hours and 30 minutes; j. He was detained in a military camp, which is not of civilian jurisdiction."

April 15 – The Free Ericson Acosta Campaign (FEAC) is launched in Quezon City. A statement calling for his immediate release is signed by hundreds of artists, journalists, human rights advocates and other supporters.

June 7 – Acosta receives Prosecutor Agustin Avalon’s resolution dated April 20, recommending the filing of the illegal possession of explosive case in court.

June 21 – NUPL files a motion for reconsideration before the prosecutor.

July – Delegates to the International Conference on Progressive Culture held in the Philippines sign the support statement calling for Acosta’s immediate release. Signatories include prominent artists and cultural groups from the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe. Troops from the 8^th ID begin to station near Acosta’s place of detention.

August 12 – Amnesty International calls for the end of Acosta’s detention and cites rights violations.

August 17 – NUPL receives Prosecutor Avalon’s resolution dated July 12, denying the motion for reconsideration.

September 1 – NUPL files a Petition for Review before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

September 21 – Acosta is brought to court for a scheduled arraignment. Court grants his counsel's motion to defer proceedings pending the DOJ’s decision on the review petition. Acosta is again harassed by the military when made to ride the jail vehicle as a lone detainee along with military escorts in full battle gear.

October 14 - The state’s National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) ties up with the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (DOJ), in a gathering of artists calling on the DOJ to promptly review Acosta's case.

November 19 - Acosta is named finalist of 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize at the Freedom to Create Awards Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, along with filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen of Tibet. Musician Win Maw of Burma wins the Prize.