Families of PDLs and political prisoners hold picket as Negros detainees launch one-day hunger strike

Family members of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and political prisoners at the Negros Occidental District Jail’s Male Dormitory staged a picket rally earlier today, December 3, outside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR), calling for the removal of Jail Warden Crisyrel Awe amid renewed allegations of inhumane treatment inside the facility.

The protest, joined by the Human Rights Alliance–Negros (HRAN), coincided with a one-day fast held by PDLs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The detainees refused meals to protest what they described as “repressive and degrading” jail policies under Awe.

Families said conditions have worsened despite an earlier noise barrage by inmates in August, with complaints of harassment, arbitrary punishment, and unsafe restrictions inside cells. They accused BJMP leadership of ignoring repeated grievances and retaliating against detainees who speak out.

The fast forms part of a nationwide action by political prisoners and PDLs marking Political Prisoners’ Day on December 3, highlighting what they say are escalating rights violations in jails across the country.

At the Negros Occidental District Jail, inmates cited excessive restrictions, padlocked exits, denial of Good Conduct Time Allowance, irregular sun exposure, inadequate medical supplies, and humiliating strip searches as ongoing issues.

They also raised concerns over the death of PDL Warlito Turbela on November 7 and the unlawful solitary confinement of political prisoner Lorenzo “Tisoy” Perolino, which recently prompted a court to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus.

In a statement read from inside the jail, detainees said their fast “continues the struggle we began in August.”

“The cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment persists, and so does our fight for dignity, justice, and humanity. We will not be silenced. We resist. We demand accountability,” the statement reads.

Families called on BJMP-NIR to act on the complaints and urged rights groups to monitor conditions inside the facility as actions continue ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10.