Hunger strike ends in RP

Hunger strike ends in RP

MANILA (UPI): Philippine prisoners have ended their two-month hunger strike, declaring their protest a victory after the recent release of 48 fellow inmates they claim were jailed primarily for political reasons.

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines said yesterday that efforts to gain the release of 130 other prisoners it believes are held on similar grounds will continue.

The end of the hunger strike comes days after President Fidel Ramos ordered the release of 19 prisoners. Another 29 inmates were freed after courts, under pressure from protests, expedited action on their cases.

Some 119 inmates stopped eating last November to demand the freedom of an estimated 179 political detainees held in jails across the country.