Jailed Philippine activist lays to rest her three-month-old baby

Heavily armed prison officials guarding her refused to uncuff her despite pleas

Published: October 16, 2020 17:20 Reuters and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Police escort detained left-wing activist Reina Mae Nasino in handcuffs and wearing a protective suit to prevent the spread of the coronavirus walks as she attends the funeral rites of her three-month-old firstborn named River at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines. Image Credit: AP

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Manila: Jailed Philippine activist Reina Mae Nasino wanted to hold her three-month-old daughter for the last time before she was laid to rest on Friday but she could not. Image Credit: Reuters

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Heavily armed prison officials guarding her refused to uncuff her despite pleas from her family and human rights supporters, who have decried what they described as inhumane treatment of Nasino and other mothers in Philippine jails. Image Credit: Reuters

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"We were denied the chance to be together. I did not even see your laughter," said the 23-year-old Nasino, who was seen crying in front of her daughter River's tiny white coffin. Image Credit: Reuters

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A local court granted Nasino a three-day furlough to attend the wake and funeral of her daughter. Image Credit: Reuters

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Nasino, a member of the urban poverty group Kadamay, was arrested in November 2019 with two others for unlawful possession of firearms - charges she said were trumped up and part of a crackdown against left-leaning activists. Image Credit: AP

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In April, she petitioned the Supreme Court to release her from jail on humanitarian grounds amid the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AP

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Nasino gave birth while in jail in July, but her baby was removed from her care and brought to her mother in August. Image Credit: AP

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The following month, her baby became sick and was hospitalised, prompting calls for mother and child to be reunited. Image Credit: AP

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Wearing a full-body personal protective equipment suit while standing in the heat of the sun, Nasino told her baby: "I hope we will be the last to experience this." Image Credit: AP

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Detained left-wing activist Reina Mae Nasino in handcuffs and wearing a protective suit to prevent the spread of the coronavirus looks at the coffin of her three-month-old firstborn named River during funeral rites at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines. Image Credit: AP

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The solemn occasion turned chaotic as police officers in camouflage uniforms dispersed the funeral procession and told the hearse carrying the coffin to speed up, forcing mourners to run after the vehicle. Image Credit: AP

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"I thought we would have a proper burial with family and friends, but I was traumatised. My other daughter nearly fainted while chasing the car," said Nasino's mother, Marites. Image Credit: Reuters

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"I am so angry that we could not even give my grandchild a proper procession and we could not even play the music she liked." Image Credit: Reuters

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Jailed Philippine activist lays to rest her three-month-old baby

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Jailed Philippine activist lays to rest her three-month-old baby

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