By Karen Marie Pastor
A protest rally calling for the immediate release of the 43 health workers who were arrested in Morong, Rizal was held at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) at Quezon City last March 18.
Families of the victims and members of different organizations: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), and Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) participated in the protest.
Representatives from human rights organizations expressed their support on the issue and continuously strengthen their campaign to fight for justice and attested that these abuse and exploitation on human rights should not be tolerated. They also explained that illegal arrest, detention and the unlawful acts of torture of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are extreme manifestation of human rights violation.
"Ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ay hndi pupuwedeng payagang magpatuloy at tayo ay humahanga at sumasaludo kay chairwoman Atty. Leila de Lima ng CHR sa kaniyang paninindigan para ipagtanggol at kilalanin ang kanilang karapatan at ang komisyon na hindi pwedeng diktahan at hindi pwedeng pigilan sa pag-alam sa katotohanan.”(These violations on human rights should not be allowed to continue and we admire chairwoman Atty. Leila de Lima of CHR on her stand to defend and recognize their rights, and the commission which cannot be prompted, and cannot be prevented from knowing the truth.” says Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo.
“Bahagi ang organisasyon namin sa mga nananawagan sa kagyat na paglaya ng 43 health workers sa paniniwala na hindi ito makatarungan kasi wala talagang malinaw na kaso against them at yung patuloy na pagkakapiit sa kanila ngayon na walang batayan ay talagang paglabag sa kanilang karapatan bilang mga mamamayan at lalo na bilang lingkod pangkalusugan,” (Our organization is part of those who calls for the immediate release of the 43 health workers believing that the arrest was unlawful for there was no clear case against them and the continuous incarceration without basis is a violation not only on their rights as a citizen but also as health servants) says Cristina Guevarra, Chairperson of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.
Guevarra emphasized that this case could happen not only on health professionals but also to any ordinary individuals. She said that AFP and PNP who are expected to defend and protect the people are now the ones being accused of violations. “Hindi ito magandang pangitain since tayo ay nasa isang demokratikong lipunan, hindi ito dapat nangyayari sa ating mamamayan.”(This is not a good representation knowing that we are a democratic society, this should not be happening to our fellow citizens), she added. She emphasized that the issue of the 43 health workers should be given importance due to gruesome records of human rights violations under the Arroyo administration.
The campaign to support the fight for the immediate release of the 43 health workers will continue especially for the youth since four of those who were detained in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal were from the youth sector and are also student leaders.
