Noynoy: Respect the Rights of Detained Heath Workers

Sen. Benigno S. Aquino III: “Respect the Human Rights of Detained Health Workers”

“I find very alarming the reported violation of human rights of the 43 health workers presently detained in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, who were all arrested during a raid by the military. It is also alleged that the raid was conducted without a proper search warrant. We are closely monitoring the investigation that has been initiated by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) by its Chair Leila De Lima.

I do not wish to prejudge the action of the military, but I certainly expect the military authorities to respect the detainees’ human rights and to adhere strictly to law in the conduct of their mission and investigation, whether or not these workers are actually NPA members, as the military asserts.

On the basis of verified reports from CHR staff, Chair de Lima has deplored the maltreatment of the detainees in the following ways: continuous handcuffing and blindfolding, depriving these detainees of sleep, and denying them food as well as privacy while using the bathroom. I echo her observation that these are reminiscent of actions that were rampant during martial law. We must not allow this to happen again. The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution restored for us all the rights of a liberated and free people under a democracy. Sadly, these are now being eroded methodically under the present administration. We now have to stand up and ask our people again to choose between good and evil; freedom and repression; decency and abuse of authority.

I, together with other members of my family have witnessed and experienced first-hand the evils of repression and abuse of power. I will not allow this scourge to visit our country and people again. We must all unite and assert that this will not happen again!

Filipino Translation:

“Naaalarma po ako sa mga naiulat na paglabag sa mga karapatang-pantao ng 43 arestadong health workers na nakadetena sa Camp Capinpin sa Tanay pagkatapos ng isang operasyon ng militar noong nakaraang linggo. Naiulat din po na walang maayos na search warrant ang militar. Dahil po dito, sinusubaybayan ko po ang ginagawang pagsisiyasat ng Commission on Human Rights sa insidenteng ito.

Hindi po ako nararaoat na mabigay ng paghuhusga sa operasyon ng ating militar, ngunit inaasahan ko pong rerespetuhin ng ating mga sundalo ang karapatang-pantao ng mga naaresto, kung sila man ay tunay na miyembro ng NPA o hindi.

Yung sinasabing matagalang pagposas, pagpiring sa mata at hindi pagpapatulog sa mga arestado, dagdag pa ang hindi pagbigay ng pagkain na kinumpirma mismo ni CHR Chairman Leila De Lima ay nangyari na noong Martial law. Hindi natin dapat hayaang mangyari muli ito.

Ang demokrasyang tinatamasa natin dahil sa 1986 People Power ay unti-unting nawawalan ng katuturan sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Kung ito’y magpapatuloy ay mapipilitan tayong muling ipagtanggol ang ating bayan laban sa mga masasamang adhikain; mapipilitan tayong muling ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan laban sa mga naglalayong iisantabi ito.

Matagal na po nating nakikita ang kasamaan ng pangaapi at pangaabuso ng kapangyarihan. Hindi ako makapapayag na muling pagdaanan ng ating mga kababayan ang pagdurusang noo’y naranasan natin sa rehimeng Marcos.”