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PHILIPPINES: Episcopal Church appeals for health workers' release
The health workers were participating in training sessions conducted by a non-government organization, the Council for Health and Development, when more than 300 military invaded the compound and made the arrests. The health workers were accused of being a communist group and charged for alleged possession of explosives and firearms.
ECP Prime Bishop Edward Malecdan said in a statement e-mailed to ENS that the health workers "have alleged that they have been abused physically and mentally and their basic rights deprived of them."
Malecdan's statement noted that the Philippines Commission on Human Rights had intervened and scheduled a hearing for March 18 regarding the allegations.
"There is no place for injustice in any society, especially when such injustice is inflicted on those who seek to serve the least of our brethren," Malecdan added. "We are also aware, however, of how the poor and the marginalized have long suffered from the lack of accessible health care services," he said. "It is non-governmental organizations that have filled in this gap and who have engaged in the training of community health workers…"
On March 10, the Court of Appeals dismissed a petition that was filed by the health workers' relatives. The lawyers of the detainees have said they will appeal the decision, adding that they have "no other recourse but to elevate the case to the Highest Court."
Katribu, the progressive party of indigenous peoples in the Philippines, on March 9 wrote to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture urging the Geneva-based office to conduct an investigation into the health workers' detention.
"Each day that they remain … in the hands of the military that perpetrate the violation of their rights and vilify them as communist terrorists … brings fear for their safety and security," said Beverly L. Longid, Katribu president, in the letter.
Longid noted that "their military captors bring them out of their cell every night for tactical interrogation and forcing them to admit that they are members of the CPP-NPA," the Communist Party of the Philippines. "Each day that they remain in detention denies communities, especially far-flung communities such as that of indigenous peoples, much-needed community health services that the victims and their organizations provide."
Among the health workers who were arrested on Feb. 6 in Morong, Rizal, are Dr. Alexis Montes, a member and former national health program coordinator of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and Angela Dolorico, an indigenous woman from Sagada, Mountain Province, and a member of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
The Rev. Rex Reyes, an ECP priest and general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, is encouraging church partners and other advocates to sign a petition for the health workers' release.
Ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines, including more than 900 extra-judicial killings and some 200 abductions, have been documented since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became president in 2001.
Former Obispo Maximo (Prime Bishop) of the Philippine Independent Church Alberto Ramento was found stabbed to death at his rectory in October 2006. Known for his advocacy work for peace and human rights, Ramento had been an outspoken critic of the Philippine government.
In September 2008, Episcopalian James Balao was abducted at gunpoint months after he complained to family and friends that he was under constant surveillance. Balao is a founding member of the Cordillera People's Alliance, a federation of grassroots organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of indigenous peoples' rights. Balao remains missing.
Canon Margaret Larom, the Episcopal Church's team leader for global partnerships and program officer for international justice and peacemaking, told ENS: "We in the Episcopal Church are so moved by the courage of people of faith in the Philippines, who witness daily -- in word and deed, often at great personal sacrifice -- to the importance of human rights for each and every person. They serve the poor and the marginalized. They stand up to the principalities and powers. They expose illegal and unjustifiable acts by those who should be serving their people. We thank God for giving our sisters and brothers in the Philippines the strength to speak, and act, on behalf of those who are prevented from doing so."
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