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USPG is supporting church leaders in the Philippines in calling for the release of 43 health workers imprisoned by armed forces.
The medical workers were taking part in a health skills training seminar when 300 armed troops marched in and made the arrests, claiming the medical workers were members of the anti-government New People’s Army (NPA).
Protesters claim the arrests are part of an ongoing policy of the Philippines government to clamp down on human rights activists who are calling for better conditions for the country’s rural poor.
The armed forces have claimed the health workers were conducting training in bomb-making and said they found weapons on the premises.
Dr Eleanor Jara, of the Council for Health and Development, the NGO that organised the medical training, said: ‘The raiding team showed a bogus search warrant. Doctors, nurses and community health workers were frisked, blindfolded and forcibly taken.’
Dr Jara explained that many of those arrested work in remote villages where there is little or no access to government health services.
She said: ‘Because of their passion and dedication to serve their fellow Filipinos, these health professionals brave difficult work environments and meagre salaries just so they could be of service where they are most needed.
‘Instead of supporting their efforts and sacrifices, what does Mrs Arroyo’s government do? Her military and police abduct these health professionals and violate their rights. In effect, the delivery of health services in the poorest communities is derailed.’
Extrajudicial killings
Human rights group Karapatan reports that 1,118 extrajudicial killings took place in the Philippines between 2001 and October 2009. Hundreds of others have been attacked, including human rights activists, lawyers and medical personnel who work on behalf of the country’s poor.
The Philippines is due to hold a general election in May and it is thought that the government is backing military action to stifle opposition.
Arrested in February, the 43 health workers have suffered electrocution, beatings and psychological torture to force confessions that they are members of the NPA. Legal moves by human rights organisations have so far failed to secure the captives’ release. Meanwhile, the military have stepped up their surveillance and harassment of the relatives of the detained health workers.
It is estimated that half of the Philippines population has no access to basic health care, 40 per cent cannot afford basic medicines, and 10 women die every day in childbirth.
Necta Mortes, niece of one of the arrested health workers, said: ‘My uncle and his 42 co-workers are the only hope and lifeline for the poor people. I ask our government, Is it a crime to heal the sick poor people? Is it a crime to take on the responsibility of the failure of this government to provide basic medical care to its people? Is it a crime to be motivated by your faith to follow the example of Jesus Christ to heal and serve the people?
‘[These arrests show a] blatant disregard of human rights and the ideals of any democratic society. The arrogance of the military establishment indicates a direct approval of the president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of these actions.’
Churches call for immediate release
The World Council of Churches has called for the ‘immediate release’ of the health workers.
Bishop Edward Malecdan, Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, said: ‘We appeal to the authorities for the immediate release of these health workers. There is no place for injustice in any society, especially when such injustice is inflicted on those who seek to serve the least of our brethren.’
Rachel Parry, USPG’s Regional Desk Officer for East Asia and Oceania, said: ‘USPG supports the call of the Council of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines who appeal to the authorities for an immediate release of the 43 health workers who have been arrested, detained and tortured.’
Posted on 11.03.2010
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