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41 News from the Philippines
from Trojan Warrior's
by David Clarke
45
The whole story is told in a book entitled “Sentenced to Death”, by Earl K.Wilkinson with Alan C. Atkins 41 News from the Philippines
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In July 2001 just before we left for the Philippines we has good news for the Philippines John Pidden had been released and cleared of an awful criminal charge. It was a privilege for Albert Wilson, Vicky and I met him at Heathrow airport and did what we could to help. Here is the news release we put out at the time.
From: “deadmanalive” <deadmanalive@onetel.net.uk>
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 20:11:01 +0100
Subject: ANOTHER INNOCENT FREE 02.07.01
URGENT NEWS FLASH
Another innocent Englishman will touch down tomorrow after FOUR YEARS of torture in the appalling prison conditions of the Philippines. Arrested on the 6th August 1997 under a Philippine Law, (introduced after pressure on the government by an Australian who now admits his worse fears have been realised), and sentenced on the 9th July 1998 to (14 years) FOURTEEN YEARS, John Pidden was acquitted of the charge by the Appeal Courts last month.
According to a secret e-mail sent to “dead man alive” at 00.29 (Phil’s time) on the 20 June 2001 John had left the prison at 0620H that morning for the immigration department and was to fly back that day. There was, however, further torture to come. In a face saving move he was sentenced to thirty days for lascivious behaviour and was required to pay tourist visa fees for the time he had spent in JAIL.
During our preparations to visit the Philippines news came of the imminent release of John Pidden from New Bilibid Prison via a mobile telephone from within the Prison. Through such news we were able to organise some support for John. John had been one of the men Albert had promised, as he had every reason to believe that a Philippine person too had entrapped him. John was innocent of the alleged crime for which he had been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, and relieved when he won his appeal with the help of Andrew McCooey of the International concern called “Freedom Now”.
