Morong 43
On the morning of February 6, 2010, with a force of 300, the Philippine Armed Forces, specifically the Army's "Jungle Fighters" and combined forces of its Army-police raiding team, stormed into the property of Dr. Melecia Velmonte, a consultant on infectious diseases at the Philippine General Hospital and professor emeritus at the College of Medicine at the University of the Philippines..
Four six-by-six trucks, a military tank, and two police mobiles assisted their operation. They were salivating to look for a certain Mario Conde (according to their very shabby and ambiguous search warrant), allegedly a member of the rebel (revolutionary) New People's Army.
By force they handcuffed, blindfolded and took with them 43 health care workers who are currently undergoing a training seminar in their goal to improve community health care in far-flung villages where most often than not have no access to basic health care services that the State should provide. Not one of the 43 is Mario Condes. Illegally arrested, the 43 were locked and detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
The army's 2nd Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, reiterates their certainty that these 43 men and women in health profession are actually NPA members, and some of them, he noted, are even high ranking officials of the rebel (revolutionary) group.
His claims are supported, he says, at the fact that acupuncture needles were found in the possession of the detainees, a trademark, he claims that "solely" belongs to NPA members. (This reminds me to inform friends practicing alternative medicine through acupuncture, to junk their practice and throw all their acupuncture needles, or they too will suffer what this 43 had suffered so far!)
He further claims that they were not in a health care training seminar but were in a secret mission to build a bomb (or better make that, plural: bombs). He even felt vindicated that his allegations that the 43 are really NPA were actually true (in his demented mind) when Atty. Romeo Capulong, a renowned lawyer of "leftist" including Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, CPP's founder, stood to defend these 43. As Nato, of BAYAN, puts it: a classic guilt by association reminiscent of anti-communist witch-hunts in the 50’s and 60’s.
The first few days and a week, the 43 illegally detained health workers were questioned repeatedly of their involvement with the NPA. One of the 43, a 62-year-old skilled surgeon, Dr. Alexis Montes, just recently were able to relate to his wife the ordeal of having electrodes attached to his head, sending shocks through his body when his answers failed to please his interrogators.
They pulled down the panties of the illegally detained women health workers, when they requests to pee. They were handcuffed and blindfolded for not less than 36 hours. They were subjected to undue stripping of human dignity and utter humiliation.
They were initially not allowed to consult a counsel, nor to be visited by their families. Local mass support and mass public outrage from various sector made it possible for them to gain some of this rights, while still being held captives.
They were pictured as criminals, high-risk prisoners, no less than the average murderer or a serial killer---very very dangerous.
(The irony of all ironies---health workers are, health professionals: doctors, nurses, midwifes, and the like: they ease our pain, diagnose our illness and cure us, they extend our lives, they heal, they save lives---yet now, is there even a slightest resemblance to this true definition of a health worker to what these moronic military men paints to the people?)
This Regime, and its Military fascist arm, have clear ambitions of rivaling even Mr. Webster and including Wiki in recreating universally accepted definitions anew.
To them needles for acupuncture are not tools for alternative medical practice but a clear ID of a bomb expert. Health care workers are dangerous people in a society. Genuine service to the oppressed and the exploited masses are workings of a terrorist group. Over-the-counter medicines and typical doctors syringe are tools in creating a bomb. Bombs ready to detonate can be stored for safe keeping under the pillow under your head. 4ft senior citizens are still qualified to be part of the New People's Army. The New People's Army are believable enough to have recruited a Church Elder, and an expert surgeon, known for giving his services for the people with little or no pay at all, to be its hitman. Luneta, a renowned public park in Metro Manila, where Jose Rizal our national hero were shot dead by the Spaniards, and a favorite place for lover's to build their nest when dusk settles in, is a perfect place to meet clandestinely to plan a operation to overthrow, a general, a queen, and an entire State. Health care workers who extend valuable service to far-flung barrios are actually members of the "Health Bureau" of the NPA. Members of this "terrorist" NPA: in the like of Kemberly Jul Luna, and other martyrs, despite having enrolled in universities, awarded scholarship when they were still alive, and had their fair share of academic triumphs as the people's scholar, including these 43 health workers, who had dressed and treated countless numbers of wounds, injuries, and have extended a number of lives, healing ailments---are not humans, thus never eligible to any Human Rights.
I cannot help but shake a head, and utter my heartfelt thank you for these new-found definitions.
I really hope people will get the hint.
These are all but dress rehearsals for Gloria Forevermore scenario. The Chief PNP, in Maguindanao at the time of the Ampatuan massacre, a key cohort responsible for the gruesome killing spree, have just walked out of his jail, a few days ago, because as the jail guard puts it: the locks have simply retired out of old age. Not a single thing has really moved since November 23 of last year up to date. Well maybe if we count Ampatuan Jr.'s, voluntary surrender as a movement forward to solve the case, then we are really going naive and pathetic.
She tried out a quick Martial Law using the almost-legal-way, by declaring a partial Martial in that certain part alone, and thereby suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. There was quite a commotion. People did get to the streets to protest. The House were pitted as to which side they will be on. Yet before the much awaited declaration approving or trashing his proclamation, the witty mole queen, was already a step ahead by declaring that everything was secured and back to normal, thus, lifting the Martial Law.
She tried a declaration, and it went awry.
Now she's trying to implement one less the declaration.
(she had actually much practiced on this one since day one of her nine-year and running term!)
The 43 health care workers, who were illegally arrested, tortured, and still detained at Camp Capinpin up to this date, are among others, all clear manifestations of another dress rehearsal going on.
How will the people react? Could she get away in time again to take it off to try yet maybe more other ways in her quest and dream to stay forever in power?
And maybe, if I may borrow Boy Abunda (a local showbiz host in the Philippines) here:
the bottomline is:
Will people let her get away (scot-free)?

i started to write this with a filipino reader in mind, so pardon me, if its not really edited for a wider audience :)
AntwortenLöschensome updates:
AntwortenLöschenFebruary 12 Friday: The Supreme Court orders the Military to present all the 43 health workers in court. They did not comply on that date. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, admits at not being ready with security measures to transport these "highly dangerous" people.
February 13 Saturday: Multi sectoral groups and church people held a prop-action at Camp Capinpin, Tanay Rizal where the 43 illegally arrested health workers are detained.
February 15 Monday: The Military complied at presenting the 43 health workers. Each was handcuffed to one soldier. While on the proceeding the Military admitted that these 43 are really health workers but "they belong to the Health Bureau of the New People's Army"
February 16 Tuesday: I was able to join church people from different church denominations and congregations in a convoy to Camp Capinpin, together with the families of the 43 health workers. A short liturgical service, prop-action and cultural solidarity program were held. It was difficult to negotiate to the guards that the families be allowed to see the detainees. But they were able to do so anyway.
Days after continued prop actions are being held.
Kabataan Partylist launched a human sized Signature Campaign, and pledge to gather 43,000 signatures from students.
February 20, Saturday: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/02/20/soldiers-hose-down-relatives-supporters-of-morong-43/?awesm=fbshare.me_AJ7jc
Last night, a poetry/cultural event was held as a fund raising activity to support the 43 health workers.
Just seen this. Sorry, tragically sorry it didn't get more support here. I need to do some back-reading on this, but I'll sign where I can, support in any way possible. How is the situation now?
AntwortenLöschenThey are still in prison up to this date. It's been almost six months already. One of the detained prisoner was pregnant at the time of imprisonment and in fact had already gave birth inside the prison. We are now clamoring that the mother be allowed to be with her child. Remember the Ampatuan massacre last November 2009, the culprit is now free, while the 43 health workers are in jail. Tsk.
AntwortenLöschenThe election result changed nothing, then... people still disappearing?
AntwortenLöschenup to date, with the now President, there have been 6 extrajudicial killings: 4 of them are activist, 2 are journalist.
AntwortenLöschenhttp://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273309/doj-advises-female-suspect-morong-43-seek-all-legal-remedies-her-newlyborn-child
AntwortenLöschenI'm sorry, I missed it too. Is there anything we can do?
AntwortenLöschenI don't exactly know what, because it depends on how you want to help. Some various ways could be writing to our government, or write a blog about it, i think we need increase awareness as to pressure the Philippine government for the release.
AntwortenLöschenThen we also have a book of protest poems, from the kilometer 64 poetry collective, a local group of poets, dedicated to the 43 health workers, the book also includes pictures of the artworks of some 43 artist from the group Artist Arrest, visualizing the 43 health workers demise. The artworks are entitled, Factsheet43. The visual renditions are interpretation of the artist from the factsheet or the actual testimonies and stories of the workers prepared by Karapatan, a group fighting against human rights violations. The book, is already finished, and ready for publication, but we have not found the funds yet to publish it. It aims to raise awareness and the proceeds of the sale of the book if there's any will go to further the cause.
http://otsopya.multiply.com/journal/item/795/Free_the_43_book
I will still ask the group where to send money for donations. :)
if you have the means, you can also have organize a gathering to raise awareness on this issue, and i can send maybe a copy of the artworks and have some of our poems translated or generate poems from your own set, to support the 43. :) keep us posted.
AntwortenLöschentomorrow the FactSheet43 (the artworks) will be exhibited at the lobby of the country's premiere state hospital, Philippine General Hospital, at Taft Avenue Manila. a short program, with performances (poetry reading, singing, etc), will kick the opening..
Good idea!
AntwortenLöschen