PHM-Exch> Philippines: Morong 43 detainees reflects ten years of poverty and human rights violations

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: CHD ManCom chdmancom at gmail.com

*Media Release*

June 12, 2010


*References:       Dr. Julie P. Caguiat – 09091133038 *

*                           Philip Paraan - 09194861580*


**



*Morong 43 reflects ten years of poverty and human rights violations*


**

Today marks the 112th year of Independence, yet as it is grandiosely being
celebrated by the outgoing Arroyo administration, the people remain to be
shackled with injustice and oppression.


Despite Mrs. Arroyo’s of ostentatious and shameless display of her regime’s
supposed legacy, what truly characterizes her 10 years in power is nothing
but corruption, poverty and immense record of human rights violation against
the people whom she failed to serve.


Today also marks 4 months and 6 days of illegal detention of 43 health
workers at Camp Bagong Diwa and Camp Capinpin.  Today is a celebration quite
ironic to a reality -- a government so desperate to protect everything but
the rights and welfare of its people.


For more than 4 months, 43 health workers, their families, and colleagues
continue to suffer from the state’s injustice and utter disregard of human
rights.  Mrs. Arroyo’s government is the number one human rights violator.


While illegally detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, a civilian detention facility,
the 38 health workers are made to endure inhumane conditions. Twenty-three
(23) female health workers are cramped in a very narrow cell capable only of
accommodating 9 inmates.  To make matters worse, their cell is perpetually
damp and stench fills the air because of dripping waste water pipes
installed above.  Visitors of the health workers also observed that
ventilation is very poor in the female detainees’ area.  Poor ventilation
and damp surroundings encourage the growth of bacteria and make people
susceptible to different diseases, a visiting doctor said.


The detainees’ food is also almost unfit for human consumption.


“Harsh conditions make matters worse for the detained health workers and
other detainees in Camp Bagong Diwa as well.  Being behind bars does not
mean that one can be stripped of his or her right to decent food and
environment,” Dr. Julie Caguiat, Free the 43 Health Workers Now Alliance
said.


The health workers’ situation in detention reflects the sorry state of our
country’s penal system, she added.


Yesterday, Jane Balleta, Council for Health and Development (CHD) volunteer
and granddaughter of the late labor leader and Congressman Crispin Beltran
suffered severe bouts of seizures while in detention.  Jail officials and
fellow health workers at CHD brought her to the Philippine General Hospital
for confinement at around 2 am yesterday.


The alliance pressed for the immediate release of the elderly, sick, and
pregnant health workers for humanitarian reasons but their call fell on deaf
ears during Mrs. Arroyo’s term.


“We appeal to President Noynoy Aquino to release the 43 health workers and
bring justice to their plight.  We are hopeful that the new administration
will put an end to the dark days of injustice that Mrs. Arroyo perpetuated
in the last decade,” Dr. Caguiat concluded.##
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