Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — Cause-oriented groups are calling for the temporary release of political detainee Mae Nasino, three days after the death of her three-month-old baby in a hospital.
The National Union of People’s Lawyer (NUPL) said it was set to file a manifestation before the executive judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court that would allow Nasino to bury her child who passed away last Thursday.
NUPL Spokesperson Atty. Josalee Deinla said a few days before Nasino gave birth in July, they have already filed for an urgent motion at Branch 20 of the Manila Regional Trial Court for Nasino and her newborn to stay together at the correctional nursery of the Manila City Jail for a year, so she could properly breastfeed the infant.
“We worried about her condition. She gave birth on July 1, so we filed a supplemental urgent motion for her and her baby’s hospitalization or accommodation in a correctional nursery within the Manila City Jail Dormitory for 12 months so Ina (Nasino) can breastfeed her baby,” Deinla said. “Motion was denied. Invoking Ina’s right to breastfeed. Invoking the universal recognition that mother and child in the first few days of life are inseparable.”
Nasino was separated from her baby last August 13, following a July 30 order from the Manila RTC stating that the prison was not a place for a baby, especially since the country was dealing with a pandemic.
The baby was placed in the care of her grandmother. But the child fell ill several times and had to be rushed to the hospital. Last Thursday, October 9, Baby River succumbed to a bacterial infection in her lungs at the Philippine General Hospital.
The women’s rights group Gabriela had also asked for compassion from the court to allow Nasino to see her child, saying it was crucial for a child to be with their mother during the first months of life to receive proper nourishment.
“Kaya nga may batayan ang maternity leave for three months, for the mother and child to be together. Dahil yung scientific study na yung bata ay magiging maayos pag kasama ang nanay at nagbe-breastfeed, therefore may much immunity ang bata ‘pag kasama ang nanay,” says Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.
[Translation: This is the basis for the three-month maternity leave, for the mother and child to be together. Scientific studies show that a child will be better off if breastfed by the mother, therefore more immunity can be acquire when a child is with the mother.]
On Sunday, Senator Nancy Binay also called for Nasino’s temporary release.
The senator has been pushing for alternative ways of confinement based on humanitarian grounds, in order to meet the special needs of women and nursing mothers in jails.
“Muli, nananawagan po tayo na sana ay pansamantalang palayain si Reina para makasama niya ang kanyang anak sa huling pagkakataon,” says Binay in a statement.
[Translation: We appeal for the temporary release of Reina so she can be with her child for one last time.]
Nasino is facing illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges after her arrest at the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan office in Tondo, Manila in November 2019. She has claimed that the evidence against her were planted.
