DOMINGO, Ma. Stephanie Ann P.

2011000727
MIDTERM PAPER

Baby River was separated from her mother, Reina Mae Nasino who was prisoner, when
she was just a month old, she was transferred to the care of her grandmother from thereon.
Unfortunately, Baby River died of pneumonia, she lived most of her days away from her mother
due to the fact that her mother is a political prisoner. However, even in death, Baby River and
Reina Mae’s rights were ignored. During Baby River’s funeral, her mother was only given a total
of 6 hours to visit her, and during her visits and at Baby River’s burial, numerous police officers
surround the area and her handcuffs were not removed, Reina Mae could not even wipe her own
tears.
Section 3 (2), Article XV of the Constitution states that: “Section 3. The State shall
defend: xxx 2.) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and
special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions
prejudicial to their development;” Furthermore, according to Article 3.1 of the UN Convention
of the Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is a state party: “In all actions concerning
children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law,
administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary
consideration.” When Baby River was separated by the government from her mother when she
was just a month old, the state did not protect her from neglect, abuse and cruelty, the state
created a situation that is prejudicial to her development. Baby River’s best interest was not
considered by the state when she was separated from her mother and the way they treated her
mother during her funeral and burial.
The way that Reina Mae was treated during the funeral and burial of her daughter was
beyond the right of the state to prevent the escape of its detainees, Reina Mae was surrounded by
police officers and the place was full of them, however, her handcuffs were not removed. Surely,
the government has treated the politicians who were imprisoned for a violation of a law which
has greater gravity than what Reina Mae has violated but, they were given a treatment that was
far from that. They were allowed to visit or go to parties without handcuffs and a time limit,
these politicians were treated humanely, whereas when the prisoner is a political prisoner, none
of their rights, as human beings, will be observed.