Nasino’s more than just a prisoner, she’s also a mother

Reina Nasino was among the 60 activists who were arrested last November 2019 and is still undergoing trial for the non-bailable charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Unbeknownst, she was pregnant during the time she was arrested and was one of the people that filed a petition to set those who are under the threat of the virus free last April, however, the Supreme Court did not make any actions regarding the petition until she gave birth in prison.

She was only given a month to be with her newborn child, Baby River, after the court did not allow them to be together for a year.

The separation was made last August but what's more painful is losing her child to death due to pneumonia.

“Sabik ako na makita anak ko pero hindi sa ganyang kalagayan,” cried Reina Nasino when she was finally given the chance to see her daughter, but inside a coffin.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 Judge Paulino Gallegos reduced Nasino’s 3 continuous days of furlough from 6 hours to 3 hours for October 14, 2020, Wednesday, and October 16, 2020, Friday, to grieve and to say goodbye to her child because there were not enough people to guard her.

"Prison officials are now opposing because of the health reasons. They are saying that they do not have the facility. Afraid, they said baka kung anong dala niya pagbalik (we don't know what she will bring back when she returns)," said prisoners’ rights group Kapatid.

Although her lawyers defended that it’s the government’s responsibility to provide an isolation facility for Reina when she returns, they were still denied.

When the day came for Reina to visit her daughter’s funeral, the area was already crowded with guards and agents despite her being dressed in a full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while being handcuffed.

Her handcuffs were only taken off when Kapatid’s Fides Lim said to the jail guards, “Remove the handcuffs. Shame on you," because Reina can barely rise from her seat to pay respects for her dead child.

Reina Mae will not be allowed to join the funeral procession on Friday and will only have 3 hours for the burial.

Words by Alekka Cabalhug

Photo from The Filipino Times