Seeing life and freedom in prison

Seeing life and freedom in prison

The book launch of Garden Behind Bars: The Diary and Letters of Angie B. Ipong

It was a simple and memorable book launch. Her two sisters, nieces, friends, peace advocates, community leaders, former political prisoners, and organic food lovers gathered in solidarity with the author, Angelina “Angie” Ipong.

The 85-page book, Garden Behind Bars: The Diary and Letters of Angie B. Ipong, was launched in Toronto last April 9 in an aptly named venue, Peace Lounge, at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education [OISE] sponsored by The Philippine Solidarity Network-Toronto.

Published in 2009 by the Women and Children Concerns Committee of the Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao [InPeace] with assistance from the Urgent Action Fund, the book contains powerful snapshots of Ipong’s life – “vignettes, reflections, recollections” – that she wrote in the course of her being a political detainee since March 2005 in the Pagadian City Jail, Zamboanga Del Sur.
In the book, Ipong recollected her childhood life and as peasant’s daughter in Bicol, her torment in the custody of military agents, and her life in prison.
Pet Cleto, a writer and member of Gabriela Organizing Committee in Ontario, in her review and speech during the launch, described the book as “landscape of freedom.” Cleto said, “Through her story, she wants us to see this inner landscape where truth and justice live, and she hopes that we will also want this landscape to be realized.”

Abduction and multiple cases

Ipong recalled in the book her ordeal of abduction: “On March 8, 2005 [International Women’s Day], while I was in a consultation meeting with farmer and women leaders on the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law [CARHR-IHL], about 9 to 12 armed military men in civilian clothes, some in bonnets, barged in the Anastacia Mission Village, Aloran, Misamis Occidental.”

Since then she has been charged with criminal cases such as arson, double murder, double attempted murder, and rebellion. The court in Zamboanga Del Sur however dismissed the case of rebellion for lack of evidence.

Ipong has maintained her innocence, and said all these are trumped-up charges by the government.
“I’m imprisoned because I work for the empowerment of the marginalized sectors of society – the peasants, the workers, the women, the children,” she wrote.

Family concerns

When Ipong went missing in 2005, her family was in deep agony for two weeks thinking of the worst possible. Her sister, Fe Bisuña or Manay Fe as Angie calls her, recounted how painful it was. The family was only relieved when they saw a photo of Ipong published in national newspaper two weeks after she went missing. Only then they knew she was in the custody of the military. And she was alive.

Ipong is the most “serious” type among siblings, according to her niece, Natasha Grzcinc, who presented a collection of family photos during the book launch.

Prison life

As she turns 66 this year, Ipong is the oldest political detainee in the Philippines. A teacher, lay missionary and peace worker, Ipong has continued to live in prison to this day. In October 2009, the jail officials transferred her to Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.

Being in prison was hard, Ipong said. But this did not deter her from seeing life and freedom behind steel bars. “Bloom where you planted. Now I’m in prison and I must face squarely this sordid reality.” She has found gardening as positive tool in easing out boredom and depression in prison life.
“She is very proud of her gardens,” said Bisuña.

From planting and harvesting pechay, radish, mustasa, okra, kamote tops and cucumber to making borloloys and cooking merienda for sale, Ipong has found things that kept her busy, and helped other inmates “learn and earn and become self-reliant.”

Messages

“I hope this book will inspire us,” said Martha Ocampo, Ipong’s younger sister, during the Q&A.

Dr. Carol Araullo, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan [New Patriotic Alliance], sent a message read by Mithi Esguerra.

Araullo said, “Her book tells us about her life before her travails as a political prisoner and her struggle to attain freedom and justice. It is a heartfelt tale and is a testament to how one’s faith in the cause one is fighting for – social and national liberation for our people – can carry you through the most intense trial of an unjust, prolonged incarceration.”

Christopher Sorio, a former political detainee himself, urged the launch participants to help in the campaign for the release of Angie Ipong and all political prisoners in the Philippines. “We need to urge the incoming new president to do this as act of national reconciliation process,” added Sorio.

Proceeds from the book sale go to this campaign being led by Gabriela. “Your support to Free Angie Ipong Campaign is a support to other political prisoners in the country.”