By Veronika Barbosa
TACLOBAN CITY–Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas (Katungod SB), the local chapter of Karapatan in Eastern Visayas, launched “Paghatag, Paglaum: Donate for a Dream”, a donation drive aiming to provide school supplies for the children of political prisoners in the region.
The donation drive started last June 4 and the group was able to raise at least P8,100 (about $300) and received in-kind donations from other groups and individuals.
Kyle Domequil, regional coordinator of Katungod SB, said that the activity is part of the organization’s initiative to extend help to families of political prisoners in Leyte and Samar.
Domequil said there are at least 20 political prisoners in Eastern Visayas, and most of them are farmers and human rights workers slapped with trumped-up criminal charges due to their political beliefs.
The donation drive aims to provide a set of school materials for ten children of political prisoners who are between two and 15 years old, said Domequil.
Domequil added that because of their circumstance, political prisoners experience difficulty in providing economic and social support to their families.
“We are deeply thankful to Gantala Press and other individuals who have donated for the children. We were also able to build a community that stands firmly with political prisoners and their families, while exposing the grim human rights situation in Eastern Visayas,” Domequil said.
Domequil also highlighted that “while the corrupt politicians bicker in the Senate, ordinary Filipinos are left to face hunger, poverty, and relentless attacks—from harassment and threats to outright killings carried out by state forces.”
The remaining monetary and in-kind donations will be used to buy school supplies that will be distributed to other communities in the region. (RTS, RVO)
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