PHM-Exch> [PHM NEWS] PHM Statement on the situation in the Philippines

[Claudio Schuftan]

 The People’s Health Movement global condemns the repression and attacks on
health workers, human rights defenders, and their families
The People’s Health Movement (PHM) global supports the statement of PHM
Philippines, and strongly condemns the worsening repression and attacks on
human right defenders, health workers and other activists in the
Philippines.
We are particularly concerned and condemn the death threats against Dr.
Gene Nisperos, his wife, Dr. Julie Caguiat and their children, as well as
other unionists and student-leaders in the University of the Philippines
(UP). Dr. Nisperos, faculty of the UP College of Medicine and President of
the All UP Academic Employees Union-Manila Chapter, has been actively
campaigning against the big P456 million slash in the budget of the
Philippine General Hospital. And Dr. Caguiat (co-convenor of the Coalition
for the People’s Right to Health) has raised serious concerns about the
health crisis in the country in a press conference. Both are active members
of PHM-Philippines and have participated in global PHM activities. Both are
health activists who staunchly defend the right of the people for a free,
comprehensive, and quality health care.
The two doctors chose to work with and serve the marginalized segments of
society -- they helped set up community-based health programs and trained
community health workers in communities where health services are
inaccessible. As such, both are very vocal on issues that affect the health
and lives of the Filipinos. They actively join and even lead protest
actions against privatization, lack of access to medicines and health
services, corruption in government, budget slash and the poor health
situation in the country. The issues and the actions taken by Dr. Nisperos
and Dr. Caguiat are legitimate and are within their democratic and
political rights.
Dr Nisperos and Dr Caguiat, as well as other activists are currently facing
intimidation, harassment and death threats, which are part of the on-going
smear and vilification campaign against health rights organizations and
threats, harassments and intimidation of health activists and human rights
defenders in the Philippines. Within the last 10 days, the police and
military have raided at least six offices of legal organizations, civil
society groups, and people's organizations in Bacolod City (in the Visayas)
and in Metro Manila based on search warrants issued by one judge from
another city (Quezon City). Although 32 people have been released, around
15 activists and sectoral leaders remain incarcerated and have been charged
with fictitious actions such as illegal possession of firearms and human
trafficking. Those still incarcerated include Cora Agovida, a nursing
mother and head of Gabriela, the women's organization, Michael Tan
bartolome, her husband, and Anne Kreuger, a journalist of an alternative
media outfit, Altermidya.
PHM Global secretariat, India
E-mail: globalsecretariat at phmovement.org Web: www.phmovement.org
According to reports, labor leader and former political prisoner Reynaldo
Malaborbor, 64, was shot by unidentified gunmen in front of his house at
Karapatan Subdivision in Cabuyao, Laguna on Monday evening, November 4. He
was a leader of labor alliance group Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa sa Probinsya
ng Laguna (ALMAPILA). Honey Mae ‘Hanimay’ Suazo, former Karapatan Southern
Mindanao Secretary General, is missing since she left their home last
November 2 to visit her departed loved ones in Panabo, Davao del Norte. She
was last seen onboard a motorcycle on her way home. KARAPATAN is a
nationwide human rights organization.
Many of those under threat have had to take extraordinary steps to
safeguard their own lives and those of their families. It is unacceptable
that the police and military, which should be protecting the people
especially those responsible f
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