<div class="gmail_quote">From: <b class="gmail_sendername">chd mancom</b> <span dir="ltr"><a href="mailto:chdmancom@yahoo.com">chdmancom@yahoo.com</a> </span>and "Gene Nisperos" <<a href="mailto:headphil@gmail.com">headphil@gmail.com</a>>, <br>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><br>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px">
<div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="FONT-FAMILY: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit" valign="top"><br><br>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px">
<div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="FONT-FAMILY: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit" valign="top">
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><br>
<div>
<table style="MIN-HEIGHT: 1432px; WIDTH: 495px" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="FONT-FAMILY: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit" valign="top">
<p><span>MEDIA RELEASE</span></p>
<p><span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CHD to AFP and PNP -- release abducted doctors, nurses, and Community Health Workers in Tanay, Rizal</span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As thousands of Filipino health professionals are driven away from the country because of lack of enough opportunities, the government terrorizes the very few who chose to stay and serve their fellow citizens, Council for Health and Development revealed in a press conference held in Quezon City. <br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>In a statement, Eleanor A. Jara, medical doctor and Executive Director of Council for Health and Development said that at 6:15 am yesterday, February 6, 2010, medical doctors, nurses, and Community Health Workers (CHWs) were frisked, blindfolded and forcibly taken by combined heavily armed elements of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Infantry Division of the Philippine Army <span> </span>and the Rizal Philippine National Police. <span> </span>The troop numbered to about 300, reports said.<span> <br>
</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Council for Health and Development is the National Secretariat of more than 50 community-based health programs in the entire Philippines.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"The raiding team showed a bogus search warrant and herded our doctors, nurses, and Community Health Workers conducting health skills training-seminar in the house of Dr. Melecia Velmonte," Jara said.<span> <br>
</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"CHD denies the claim of Col. Aurelio Baladad of the Philippine Army's 202nd Infantry Brigade to the media that the participants were undergoing a bomb-making training.<span> </span>We further condemn the AFP and PNP’s action of planting evidences such as guns and ammunitions in the training venue.<span> </span>In truth, the participants were holding a first responders’ health skills training-seminar aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills of health professionals and Community Health Workers to develop their capacities in providing health care services to the poorest of the poor,” Jara added.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Dr. Julie Caguiat of the Community Medicine Foundation further explained that such brazen act was clearly a state effort to terrorize health professionals and health workers that work among the people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Dr. Jara lamented that the abducted health professionals and CHWs are among those that serve far-flung villages where government personnel and services are lacking or are nonexistent.<span> </span>Because of their passion and dedication to serve their fellow Filipinos, these health professionals and CHWs brave difficult work environments and meager salaries just so they could be of service where they are most needed, Jara added.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"Instead of supporting and lauding their efforts and sacrifices, what does Mrs. Arroyo's government do? Her military and police abduct these health professionals and CHWs and violate their rights.<span> </span>In effect, the delivery of health services in the poorest communities is derailed," Jara said.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The ratio of doctor to patient in the Philippines is pegged by the Department of Health at 1:30,000.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As of press time, the military has denied the relatives and co-workers of the victims to see or speak to them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"The military has done it again, this condemnable incident adds up to the long list of human rights violation against health workers and community-based health practitioners.<span> <br></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>We call on all health professional organizations, entire Filipino people, and the international community to denounce state terrorism in the strongest possible terms.<span> </span>We enjoin our colleagues in the health profession as well as the entire Filipino nation to stand united and demand for the release of the abducted health personnel," Jara concluded. #</span></p>
<span>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Victims<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Illegally Arrested and illegally detained (partial list)</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dr. Merry Mia, Health Education and Training Services coordinator for Council for Health and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Development (CHD)</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dr. Alexis Montes</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gary Liberal, Registered Nurse (Jose Reyes Medical Memorial Center) </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Teresa Quinawayan, Midwife </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lydia Ubera, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Reynaldo Makabenta, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Delia Ocasla, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jane Balleta, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Janice Javier, health worker </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Franco Remoroso, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ailene Monasteryo, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pearl Irene Martinez, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Elen Carandang, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dany Panero, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rayom Among, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">§<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Emily Marquez, health worker</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Recommended Action:</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">The immediate release of the health workers who are illegally arrested and illegally detained at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">The government to ensure the safety of the victims and that they are not harmed; their belongings be returned immediately to them.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">The 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 conducting health skills training in Morong, Rizal.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">The military to stop the labeling and targeting of human rights defenders as “members of front organizations of the communists” and “enemies of the state.”</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of these instruments’ provisions.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">You may send your communications to:</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">President of the Republic</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Malacañang Palace,</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></p><font face="Times New Roman">E-mail: <a href="mailto:corres@op.gov.ph">corres@op.gov.ph</a> / <a href="mailto:opnet@ops.gov.ph">opnet@ops.gov.ph</a></font>
<p></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Gen. Avelino Razon, Ret. PNP</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><a href="mailto:osec@opapp.gov.ph">osec@opapp.gov.ph</a></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Norberto Gonzales</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Secretary, Department of National Defense</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Email: <a href="mailto:osnd@philonline.com">osnd@philonline.com</a></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Atty. Agnes Devanadera</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Secretary, Department of Justice</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Email:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="mailto:soj@doj.gov.ph">soj@doj.gov.ph</a></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Atty. Leila De Lima</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Email: <a href="mailto:chr.delima@yahoo.com">chr.delima@yahoo.com</a></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman">Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address </font><a href="mailto:urgentaction@karapatan.org"><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman">urgentaction@karapatan.org</font></a><font face="Times New Roman"> and the addresses of chdmancom and HEAD.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p></p></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p><br><b><span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><br></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><br></div></blockquote></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><br>