Ericson is a, cultural worker and writer and a former UP activist. During the ‘90s, he served as editor of the Philippine Collegian, UP’s official student publication. He is a former chair of the student cultural group Alay Sining, a former chair of the campus alliance STAND-UP and member of the UP Amnesty International.
His works as a writer, poet, thespian, singer and songwriter have remained relevant especially to the succeeding generations of UP activists in and out of the university. His bias for the poor and oppressed dates back to his campus days.
Last February 13, soldiers in San Jorge, Samar arrested him on mere suspicion that he is a member of the New People’s Army. Ericson was unarmed and was in the company of a local barangay official when he was arrested without warrant. He was held for three days without charges and was subjected to continuous tactical interrogation by the military. He has been charged with illegal possession of explosives and is detained at the Calbayog sub-provincial jail.
His rights continue to be violated each day he remains incarcerated. The fabricated charges are intended to keep him under government’s control and scrutiny. His frail appearance in the photo released to media by the AFP heightens concerns for his health given the conditions in jail.
The road to genuine and lasting peace cannot be paved with government’s continued iron-fist policy of arresting its perceived enemies on mere suspicion. It behooves the Aquino government to forge favorable conditions in the conduct of its peace efforts by releasing political prisoners.
Ericson has dedicated his life to serving the people. We, his friends, colleagues, family and supporters, call on the Aquino government to effect his immediate release by dropping the trumped-up charges.
FREE ERICSON ACOSTA NOW!
RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!
Supporters of the FREE ERICSON ACOSTA CAMPAIGN
Liwayway L. Acosta (mother);
Isaias P. Acosta (father);
Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist and President, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Fernando C. Josef, veteran actor; former VP & Artistic Director, Cultural Center of the Phils.
Bibeth Orteza, screenwriter; UP Regent
Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, film director
Pen Medina, TV and stage actor
Bonifacio Ilagan, actor and screenwriter
Rolando Tolentino, Dean, UP College of Mass Communications; critic and author
Dr. Alice Guillermo, art critic
Dr. Gemino H. Abad, poet and literary critic;
Leonilo Doloricon, former Dean, UP College of Fine Arts; visual artist; CAP
Gelacio Guillermo, poet and critic
Prof. Ramon Guillermo, author
Prof. J. Neil Garcia, poet and author;
Alfredo Juan Aquilizan, visual artist; faculty Griffith University QCA;
Jesus Manuel Santiago, poet and musician;
Marra PL. Lanot, poet and author;
Joi Barrios, poet and author;
Rody Vera, veteran stage actor;
Egai Talusan Fernandez, visual artist;
Julie Lluch, sculptor;
Pablo A. Tariman, music critic;
Dennis Longid, former UP Student Regent;
Norman Bordadora, journalist, Collegian '94
Rep. Antonio A. Tinio, ACT Teachers Party-list;
Rep. Raymond V. Palatino, Kabataan Partylist; USC chair UP Diliman,00-01;
Renato Reyes, Jr., UP Alay Sining ’94; BAYAN;
Richard Gappi, poet; Collegian ’94; Neo-Angono Artists Collective;
Nina Ricci Alagao-Flores, visual artist; Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2000;
Prof. Sarah Raymundo, STAND-UP ’97;
Prof. Roselle Pineda, Alay Sining ‘94;
Prof. Rommel Rodriguez,Alay Sining ‘96;
Prof. Mykel Andrada, Collegian '99, All UP Workers Union;
Katrina Stuart Santiago, arts reviewer;
Ninotchka Herrera, faculty, MSU-Marawi;
Teresa Lorena Jopson, Collegian '99; Faculty UP Manila;
Kiri Dalena, filmmaker;
Aba Lluch Dalena, visual artist;
Aika Udaundo, Young Artist’s Studio
Bang Dizon, Young Artist’s Studio
Avie Felix, Young Artist’s Studio
Crown Dolot, Young Artist’s Studio
Randel Urbano, Young Artist’s Studio
RG Cruz,Young Artist’s Studio;
Lyte Seneres, visual artist, faculty PHSA;
Biag Gaongen, danseur, Ballet Philippines;
Karl Castro, visual artist; former EIC Collegian;
Axel Pinpin, poet; KMP;
Nicolas Gloeckl, IBON Int’l;
Lyn Pano; IBON Int’l;
Kristine Alave, Collegian ’02;
Isa Lorenzo, journalist; Collegian ’02;
Atty. Jocelia Bighani Sipin, UP-Amnesty International '90, UP USC '93-'94
Jun Cruz Reyes, fictionist;
Mideo Cruz, visual artist;
Boy Dominguez, visual artist;
Sigfried Barros Sanchez, filmmaker;
Brutus Lacano, rock musician;
Chickoy Pura, rock musician, The Jerks;
Monet Pura, manager, The Jerks;
Eric Cabrera, rock musician, Datu’s Tribe;
GJ Herman Gomez, flutist;Luisito Queano, musician;
Amie Maga
Aaron Ceradoy
Peter Chua
Baltazar Pinguel
Rey Asis, Asian Students Association;
Regiben Romana, visual artist
Nani Gonzales, Matang Araw Productions
Farrah Osio
Rowena Bayon, visual artist; UP Alay Sining ’94;
Dr. Mira May Magsino, UP Alay Sining ‘97
Cheryl Mirasol-Malacaman, UP Alay Sining ’96;
Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Collegian ’94;
Amy V. Padilla, Collegian ’94;
Kim Nepomuceno, Collegian ’94;
Verk Magpusao, Collegian ’94;
Mike Ac-ac, former EIC, Collegian ’94;
Anna Leah Escresa, STAND-UP ’96;
Noel Colina, STAND-UP ’96;
Mary Jane Alejo, Alay Sining ’94;
Marfred Waddell, Sinagbayan
Eleanor R. de Guzman, STAND UP '97; BAYAN;
Marc Funcion, KM 64;
Sarah Katrina Maramag, Alay Sining ’98;
Raphael Joseph Maramag, Alay Sining ’99;
Suyin Jamoralin, Collegian ’99;
Jon Corsiga, Alay Sining ’98;
Ayan Tolentino, STAND-UP ’96;
Kristine Bugayong, former UP Student Regent;
Mayo Uno Martin, Collegian ’99;
Allan Popa, poet; Amnesty Int’l-UP; High Chair;
Jayson Fajarda, former EIC, Collegian
Nerve Macaspac, Alay Sining ’97;
King Catoy, May Day Collective;
Herb Valencia, May Day Collective;
Carlos Maningat, UP CMC Journ Rep ’07;
Karl Ramirez, musician;
Hilda Nartea, Collegian '99;
Ron Magbuhos Papag, POV Prods.;
Norman Wilwayco, fictionist;
Dr. Karl David Alva, M.D.;
Vic Mallare, UST Archi '94;
Vincent M.L. Borneo;
Rolando Libang;
Frank Lloyd Tiongson, Collegian ’02; UP faculty
Tom Estrera III, visual artist; Collegian ’01;
Carlos Piocos III, Collegian ’01,Fulbright scholar;
Dada Docot, filmmaker; Collegian ‘99;
Adjani Arumpac, author;
Che Marty, UP Diliman;
Richard Ducat, LFS- University of Manila;
Kristina Yumul-Abueg, IT;
Glenda Gonzales Lamog
Reggie Gonzales-Songco
Janet Guinto-Baz
Jun Yumul
Frances Yumul
Budz Gonzales
Alexander A. Gonzales
Karla FlorChristine Bellen, AdMU, Hong Kong Baptist University
Tinay Palabay, Karapatan; KASAMA sa UP '98;
Nene Montes, SCM-UPD;
Lisa Ito, Collegian; Alay Sining '00;
Anya Mendoza, CNS UPD;
Mabi David, AI; High Chair;
Ayer Arguelles, AI; High Chair;
Ramon “Chitoy” Zapata, Neo-Angono Artists Collective;
Jed Aquino, KARATULA National;
Taren Lulu, Alay Sining;
Iris Pagsanjan, Collegian '01, GMA News;
Louise Amante, Collegian '01;
Soliman A. Santos, poet and journalist,
Kenneth Roland A. Guda, Collegian '99,
Joms Salvador, Collegian '99, Gabriela;
Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo, Collegian '94;
Raphael Rios, Collegian '94
Romie Malonzo, PAGBABAGO!;
Elizabeth Lolarga, journalist
CJ Despuez, Alay Sining '99
Carl S. Bordeos, Christ the King College
Dr. Levi Oracion
Iris Cecilia Gonzales, Journalist, Collegian '98
High Chair
The 50th UP National Writer's Workshop
Migrante International
Kilometer 64 Poetry Group
Neo-Angono Artists Collective
Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
Philippine Collegian 2010-2011
Karapatan
Alay Sining UP Diliman
Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA)
Sinagbayan
Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP)
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
League of Filipino Students (LFS)
Anakbayan
National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)
Kaboronyagan Cultural Network
Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND - UP)
Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP)
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
Alliance Of Concerned Samarenos (ACOS)
Samar Civilian Authority Network (SCAN)
Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas
Kapawa Weste Samar
Sagupa-Sinirangan Bisayas
SELDA
Hustisya
Desaparecidos
Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace
UP KILOS NA
