WSCF calls for release of 43 arrested and tortured in Philippines

The World Student Christian Federation calls for an immediate release of 43 doctors and health workers arrested in the Philippines on February 6, 2010

“Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then as free people and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.” Galatians 5:1

The World Student Christian Federation expresses shock and dismay at the arrest and torture of 43 doctors, nurses and community health practitioners by the Armed Forces in the Philippines and the Philippines National Police. Among the arrested is World Student Christian Federation Regional Secretary Necta Montes’ uncle Dr. Alex Montes, a devoted doctor who has provided free service tirelessly to the sick, the poor and marginalized people in the Philippines, in his personal capacity as a surgeon and as the director of the health program of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP). Dr. Montes is also part of the Community Medical Foundation (COMMED), an NGO that provides medical services to community health workers and volunteers working in depressed communities in the Philippines.

The World Student Christian Federation has learnt from its partners in the Philippines that Dr. Montes and the other 42 detainees were victim of illegal arrest, disappearance and detention. We join our partners in the Philippines to call the government of President Gloria Arroyo for the respect of the human rights of Dr. Alex Montes and the 42 other detained health workers, including their rights to legal counsel, access to visitors, and due process.

The WSCF has learnt that the arrests were carried out in the early morning (6 a.m.) of February 6, 2010 by the 202nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Rizal Philippine National Police. The Community Medical Foundation, Inc. (COMMED), where Dr. Alex Montes is currently employed, co-sponsored a First Responders Training for health workers in Morong, Rizal beginning February 1, 2010; Dr. Alex was assigned in the conducting of the training. Initial reports say that more than 300 military and police raided the retreat center at gunpoint. They arrested the 43 participants before even searching the premises. They later showed a shoddy search warrant for a certain Mario Condes as supposed basis for their raid. Dr. Alex was blindfolded and taken away in a military truck and his whereabouts have not been confirmed. It is suspected that Dr. Alex and the others are being held Camp Capinpin, Samaploc, Tanay, Rizal, but access has been denied to lawyers, family, colleagues and pastors who have tried to visit them.

Dr. Velmonte is a renowned and respected infectious disease specialist. Dr. Merry Mia, the Education and Training Services coordinator for CHD and Dr. Alex Montes of Community Medicine Development Foundation, who were conducting the training, are dedicated proponents of community health care and worked many years with their respective NGOs. Dr. Montes is a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, which commends his work with marginalized communities.

The unfounded claims by the military that the training during which the medical workers were arrested was in actuality on bomb-making and that the detainees were members of the New People’s Army lead us to believe that these actions are part of intimidation tactics to frighten and weaken those who struggle for human rights and to alleviate the sufferings of the marginalized and the opposition forces engaged in campaigning for the Presidential Election of May 2010, a definite political threats to those currently in power.

The World Student Christian Federation has long been aware and concerned about the extra-judicial killings that have been perpetrated by factions of the military in the Philippines against young people, students, trade unionist and people opposing Ms. Arroyo’s government, and continues to be extremely apprehensive about the possibility of an escalation of political violence such as the massacre in Maguindanao in the run up to the upcoming elections. These abuses will infringe on the rights of Philipino citizens to vote freely and without fear of intimidation in the Presidential election.

We join the voices of our partners and many international groups in calling on President Macapagal Arroyo to immediately order the release of the 43 health care workers who are now in illegal detention.

We call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and all other government security forces and apparatus to end all forms of abuses, harassment, intimidation and violence against candidates, political parties and organizations, including party list groups, who are critical of the government.

We reiterate our call to the Philippine Government to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston, and scrap its counter-insurgency campaign, Operation Plan BantayLaya.

We call on all governments to condemn the arrest of the 43 health workers and call for their immediate release.

Michael Wallace, WSCF General Secretary
Horacio Mesones, WSCF Chair