Political prisoners are those who were arrested, detained and imprisoned for acts that further their political beliefs. They are arbitrarily denied their liberty and due process of law.
They are charged with political offenses such as rebellion and sedition.
More often, they are charged with criminal offenses like murder, arson, kidnapping, robbery-in-band and illegal possession of firearms to deny the political nature of their alleged offenses and to reduce them into plain criminals.
Political detainees also include those who were suspected as members or supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and other groups simply because they were in areas where there were government anti-insurgency and antiterrorist campaigns. —Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto