The news headline should have been “Morong 47” instead of “Morong 43”. The reason: I should have been one of them since we were also supposed to stay overnite in the place where the 43 healthworkers were arrested ten months ago.
The health workers, collectively known as Morong 43, were arrested by government troops on February 6 this year in Morong town of Rizal province for allegedly being caught making explosives and giving support to rebels from the Maoist New People’s Army (NPA).
The compound is owned by the family of our close friend, Shem Velmonte, whose mother, Dra. Velmonte, is connected with PGH and WHO. We were scheduled to sleep-ove67r February 5, 2010 in their morong residence, me, my cousin perla and her husband mao, and a friend otep. But due to some reasons, we aborted our plan to proceed to morong. There are basically three main structures in the compound: the residential house, the training area / building and the sleeping area/ kubo for those attending the trainings.
It was on February 7 or 8 that we learned through the news of the military operations. We immediately tried to communicate with shem to verify what really transpired that day. I even volunteered my legal services to assist them if needed. If i was there, perhaps, i will have a heated argument with the military with respect to the manner the search and arrest were done.
They have been in detention since. The 43 health workers were charged with alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1866, as amended by Republic Act (RA) 8294, and RA 9516, which imposes penalties for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives, and Commission on Elections Resolution 8714 in relation to Article 261 (q) of the Election Code, which imposes a ban on firearms during election periods. On the other hand, their relatives and supporters have petitioned the government repeatedly to release them, saying that the “Morong 43” were just holding a health training and seminar when they were arrested.
On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the President disclosed that he has ordered the dropping of charges against “Morong 43”. “I have ordered the DOJ [Department of Justice] to withdraw the informations filed before the court. This will, in effect, subject to court approval, free those among them who have no other standing warrants in other courts.” But those among the “Morong 43” with standing warrants of arrest cannot be freed yet.The other 37 are expected to be released before Christmas Day.
DOJ Secretary Laila De Lima, who had handled the case of the “Morong 43” while heading the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), have made several proposals to Mr. Aquino, who said that he was letting the courts decide the fate of the health workers.
On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the President disclosed that he has ordered the dropping of charges against “Morong 43”. “I have ordered the DOJ [Department of Justice] to withdraw the informations filed before the court. This will, in effect, subject to court approval, free those among them who have no other standing warrants in other courts.” But those among the “Morong 43” with standing warrants of arrest cannot be freed yet.The other 37 are expected to be released before Christmas Day.
DOJ Secretary Laila De Lima, who had handled the case of the “Morong 43” while heading the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), have made several proposals to Mr. Aquino, who said that he was letting the courts decide the fate of the health workers.
During one of the hearings in the Court of Appeals, I was seated beside De Lima and I told her that the number should have been 47 instead of 43 including me and my cousin.
In his speech during the anniversary celebration of the universal declaration, the President took a swipe at then President Gloria Arroyo.
“The medical workers were arrested in the waning days of the Arroyo administration on the suspicion that they were aiding NPA insurgents. These are valid concerns. Nevertheless, we recognize that their right to due process was denied them. As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand,” he said. “The people have clamored for a government that is trustworthy and transparent in its actions, and we are taking significant steps toward fulfilling that promise to them. Violators of human rights will be held accountable for their actions, and the state will protect, with unflagging commitment, the rights of all its citizensThe culture of silence, injustice and impunity that once reigned is now a thing of the past,” he said.
“The medical workers were arrested in the waning days of the Arroyo administration on the suspicion that they were aiding NPA insurgents. These are valid concerns. Nevertheless, we recognize that their right to due process was denied them. As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand,” he said. “The people have clamored for a government that is trustworthy and transparent in its actions, and we are taking significant steps toward fulfilling that promise to them. Violators of human rights will be held accountable for their actions, and the state will protect, with unflagging commitment, the rights of all its citizensThe culture of silence, injustice and impunity that once reigned is now a thing of the past,” he said.
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