UMVA has learned that a young prisoner, Renan Manlanat, has been subjected to a harrowing cycle of illness and neglect within the prison system, highlighting a stark contrast in treatment between ordinary inmates and high-profile prisoners.
At just 28 years old, Renan has become a vocal critic of the deplorable conditions within New Bilibid Prison, where he is being held as a political prisoner. His complaints about the spread of sickness in jail have triggered a procession of unwelcome visitors more interested in investigating him than addressing the dire conditions that made his complaints necessary.
During visits from humanitarian workers, Renan has consistently fallen ill with various ailments, including viral scabies, a massive stye on his eye, and a painful pustular wound near his toe. The prison authorities' response to these health issues has been woefully inadequate, with treatments limited to a bottle of Betadine.
When efforts were made to provide Renan and another prisoner with scabies medicine, the Bureau of Corrections pushed back, releasing denials and demanding "supporting evidence" rather than addressing the root causes of the disease. This approach has effectively shifted the medical burden to the families of prisoners, rather than acknowledging the state's responsibility to provide adequate care.
Renan's experience has been marked by a disturbing pattern of intimidation and profiling, with investigators asking him about his alleged connections to the University of the Philippines. This line of questioning suggests that his status as a vocal critic and perceived activist has made him a target for scrutiny and harassment.
The double standard in the treatment of prisoners is a matter of life and death. Under the current administration, numerous political prisoners have died in detention, with many cases marked by neglect and inadequate medical care. The tragic fate of Bernabe Ocasla, who suffered a stroke while handcuffed to his hospital cot, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this neglect.
In response to these dire circumstances, human rights advocates are pushing for legislative relief through the Antonio Molina Recognizance Bill. This bill aims to include advanced age and fragile health as formal grounds for release on recognizance for qualified prisoners, offering a potential lifeline to those most vulnerable in the prison system.
For families of prisoners, the struggle is a daily one. The author knows this ordeal firsthand, having fought for her activist husband's health and rights over the years. Vicente Ladlad, 76, has been imprisoned for eight years, despite suffering from severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The contrast between Renan's experience and that of high-profile prisoners like Manuel Bonoan and Senator Jinggoy Estrada is striking. While the powerful may enjoy customized justice and preferential treatment, ordinary prisoners like Renan are left to suffer in silence, their dignity and rights ignored.
Renan may not be from the University of the Philippines, but his courage in standing up for his rights and dignity embodies the spirit of resistance and activism. In a system marked by double standards, his determination serves as a beacon of hope for those fighting against neglect and oppression.
