A support group for political prisoners has formally requested acting Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Frederick Vida to approve three planned humanitarian visits to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City to deliver food and assistance to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

The group Kapatid, which advocates for the release and welfare of political prisoners, sought authorization for visits on 22 November, 1 December and 7 December.

The 7 December date is intended to launch the group’s annual program, KaPASKUHAN 2025, which aims to reunite political prisoners with their families during the Christmas season.

Fides Lim, spokesperson for Kapatid, cited the extreme isolation faced by many inmates, noting that poverty prevents most families from affording the high cost of travel to Muntinlupa.

This resulted in some prisoners going without visitors for “as long as 10 to 20 years.” The group noted that the NBP holds the largest concentration of political prisoners in the country but is the “least visited and supported.”

Kapatid also appealed for the DoJ’s assistance in expediting the clearance process for their aid deliveries, saying that delays in securing written approval from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) often force them to wait “about four hours,” leading to donated boxed meals spoiling.

One prisoner reported the meals were “already sour when we received them, but we still ate them.”

In a separate request, Kapatid asked Vida to facilitate the release of basic amenities — specifically two rice cookers and one water dispenser — that have been held at the NBP Maximum Security Compound since October 2024.

The items, which were reportedly requested by elderly and sick political prisoners, are allegedly being held up due to “electrical load concerns.” The group dismissed this as impractical, stating the items are intended to “support communal, economical cooking and ensure access to safe drinking water.”