from the Vera Files: Ex-UP Collegian editor at NKI on conditional release

FORMER University of the Philippines Collegian Editor Ericson “Eric” Acosta, political prisoner under the democratically elected Aquino administration, flew back safely to Manila early Friday after close to two years of detention at a Samar sub-provincial jail.

He was immediately taken to the National Kidney Institute for renal treatment in Quezon City.

Up to late the Thursday night in Calbayog City, the office of Gov. Mila Tan and provincial jail warden Victor Templonuevo tried to delay the conditional release of Acosta.

The same warden tried to also stall the release by first demanding that two more jail guards escort Acosta to the NKI.. Then he demanded that the accompanying party wait for proper travel and mission orders for the escorts to come from Catbalogan, which is 72.5 kms away.

Chief Persida Rudea Acosta (not related to the detainee) of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) scolded Templonuevo over the phone, reminding him that the the judiciary is above any local government executive or a military commander. Thus, the ruling in favor of Acosta could not be overturned by a governor or even a general. (read more . . . )

from the Vera Files: The Ericson Acosta story: Running home, almost free

Two unrelated Acostas (Eric and Persida) confer about his illegal possession of explosives case (photo courtesy of the Vera files)

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar—Political prisoner Ericson “Eric” Acosta, who had long stopped counting the days he had spent in jail at this city’s sub-provincial jail in Western Samar, was sprung an unanticipated pre-Valentine gift on Thursday: The court allowed the poet-composer and former Philippine Collegian editor to leave jail on early Friday to fly to Manila on humanitarian grounds.

(Acosta is expected to arrive in Manila at 8:15 a.m. on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.)

Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta (not a relative of the accused) quickly moved for Acosta’s temporary release before the Gandara regional trial court after a medico-legal consultant of the Public Attorney’s Office examined him and found he has nephritis, a condition characterized by blood in the urine (hematuria), lower back pains, high fever and painful urination (dysuria), all of which require urgent confinement. (read more . . . )

Covering Persida Acosta in Calbayog

Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta is in Calbayog. We had a chance to interview her earlier tonight at Ciriaco Hotel. Among the issues discussed was the case of the former U.P. Collegian editor Ericsson Acosta.

PAO Chief Persida Acosta with (l-r) Elizabeth Lolarga of the Vera Files, Aimee Catalan of FilProducts and Dr. Erwin Erfe

356 political prisoners go on hunger strike

By Elizabeth Lolarga
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar—Since his imprisonment in February, once frail and wan poet-songwriter Ericson Acosta has put on 10-12 pounds, a weight gain that has equipped him with strength and endurance for an ongoing hunger strike.


Acosta, 39, and 355 other political prisoners nationwide began the hunger strike on December 3 to call on President Benigno Aquino III to withdraw “baseless charges” and grant them unconditional amnesty. The strike is to end on the eve of December 10, Human Rights Day. (read more . . .)

Filipino is one of three Asian Finalists in 2011 Imprisoned Artists Prize

Filipino political prisoner Ericson Acosta -- former editor of the UP Collegian, and a detainee for ten months now at the Calbayog, Samar sub-provincial jail -- is one of the three finalists in the prestigious 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize to be announced on November 19 in the Freedom to Create Award Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. (Read more . . .)

It's been 39 years

It's been 39 years since President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. Instead of focusing on what move or demonstrations there are during today's commemoration, I have decided to feature pictures of Ericsson Acosta (courtesy of my friend Emmy Calagos). Mr. Acosta was arraigned in court today.


Here the link to the report from the Ericson Acosta blogspot.

Emmy Calagos interviewing Ericson Acosta.

A letter from Samar

(This is an article from the Philippines Free Press)

My first glimpse of Samar is a few hours before sunrise after a two-hour ferryboat ride from Matnog, Sorsogon.


The sea is calm, the outlines of the Samar terrain beckon on my grandson like a haunting opening scene from the film version of Michener’s Hawaii.


From Matnog to Allen town, my grandson surveyed the Sorsogon-Samar seas and wondered how several buses, a few cars and trucks can fit into a ferryboat.


In between the Samar destination, the ship showed a scary film on how deadly fishes feasted on beach revellers—inch by inch, hands, limbs, eyes and all. I told my grandson there was a better view of the sea and would he please stop staring on the TV screen? This was no way to introduce a child on his first sea ride and fortunately, my grandson found the sea more enchanting than the cinematographer’s fetish for chunks of human flesh.


When we reached Allen just before sunrise, I realized how beautiful the Samar landscape is. I feasted on the dark brooding green hills and the beautiful meadows jutting out in between rows and rows of coconut trees. As the bus resumed land travel from Allen town to Calbayog City, I knew there was no way I can’t remain indifferent to the natural charm of this third biggest island in the country.


From the well-cemented seaside road, I got to see rows of other islands (and islets) dotting the horizon. I also saw outlines of Masbate province and down south, the mountains of Biliran and Leyte. (READ MORE)