PHM-Exch> Sample action letter that can be sent against detention of health workers in Rizal, Philippines

[Claudio Schuftan]

Courtesy of: Alliance for People's Health allianceforpeopleshealth at gmail.com
Martha Roberts et al,  Vancouver, Canada


Re: International Condemnation of Philippine military and police
action against health workers in Rizal, Philippines

February 9, 2010


ADDRESSES GIVE IN PREVIOUS POSTING
Dear ......,

We are writing to condemn the action of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and Philippine National Police at 6:15am February 6th,
2010, when they forcibly detained medical doctors, nurses, and
community health workers (CHWs) in Rizal, Philippines during their
health skills training-seminar in the house of Dr. Melecia Velmonte.

Health workers who extend their volunteer services to under-served
regions are essential to the health and well-being of regular
Filipinos who live in these areas. Their service and advocacy work for
the community is vital when virtually no other health infrastructure
exists.

We condemn the false accusations against these health workers as being
“enemies of the state” for advocating for communities living in
poverty and see this harassment as part of the ongoing list of human
rights violations against health workers and community-based health
practitioners that serve the most impoverished regions in the
Philippines.

As health professionals, [researchers, students, and concerned
community members] I join the call for the 2nd Infantry Division of
the Philippine Army and the Rizal Philippine National Police to
immediately and unconditionally release the abducted health care
workers and stop the labeling, harassment and intimidation of
progressive organizations and individuals engaged in grassroots health
work and advocating for social justice in the Philippines.

We call for the immediate release of all health workers who are
illegally arrested and illegally detained at Camp Capinpin, Tanay,
Rizal, including but not limited to:
·         Dr. Merry Mia, Health Education and Training Services
coordinator for Council for Health and Development (CHD)
·         Dr. Alexis Montes
·         Gary Liberal, Registered Nurse (Jose Reyes Medical Memorial
Center)
·         Teresa Quinawayan, Midwife
·         Lydia Ubera, health worker
·         Reynaldo Makabenta, health worker
·         Delia Ocasla, health worker
·         Jane Balleta, health worker
·         Janice Javier, health worker
·         Franco Remoroso, health worker
·         Ailene Monasteryo, health worker
·         Pearl Irene Martinez, health worker
·         Elen Carandang, health worker
·         Dany Panero, health worker
·         Rayom Among, health worker
·         Emily Marquez, health worker

We ask that the Philippine government ensure the safety of all
victims, that they are not harmed and that their belongings are
returned immediately to them. We call for an immediate formation of an
independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of
representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local
government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into
raid and illegal arrest of the health workers.

As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a
party to all the major Human Rights instruments, the Philippine
Government is bound to observe all human rights provisions

We ask that you please address this matter to the appropriate
authorities on our behalf.

Sincerely,

.......
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