To P-Noy : Learn from personal and collective history—FREE THE 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE

A day before the death anniversary of former senator Benigno Aquino, relatives and friends of the Morong 43 and members of the FREE THE 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE light candles at the Ninoy Aquino Monument in Timog cor. Quezon Avenue (Delta) to call for the release of the Morong 43.

“This is an apt remembrance of the martyrdom of Ninoy and the heroism and sacrifice of many political activists who fought against Marcos’ repressive rule during the days of Martial Law. This is also an opportune moment to call for the release of the Morong 43 and to remind President Aquino of his responsibilities to uphold human rights,” said Carlos Montemayor, spokesperson of the FREE THE 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE.

Montemayor said “President Aquino should learn from his family’s personal and the collective history of many other victims of human rights violations. Including Benigno Aquino, most of the victims then were targets of political witch hunt and was repeated in the case of Morong 43.“

Montemayor said that the President Aquino should be the first to know and understand political persecution and illegal detention as his father himself was also a victim. Being the son of the most prominent detainee of the Marcos regime, Montemayor said that the public expects from President Aquino to be more cognizant of the human rights abuses and to concretely address these issues. “

“There is moral victory in doing what is right and if he truly wants to remember his father’s heroism, he should defend and uphold human rights.”

The Morong 43 have been illegally detained since Feb. 6 and there has not been any sure prospects of release from the either the courts and from the agencies reviewing the case. Since assuming office, there has not been any direct pronouncement or commitment from President Aquino himself that he will push for the release of the Morong 43.

Meanwhile, the motion to release on recognizance on humanitarian grounds Judilyn Oliveros, the young mother among the Morong 43 was recently junked by the court. Oliveros and her 3-week old baby were returned to the unsafe confines of detention in Camp Bagong Diwa in August 19.

In the case of Oliveros’ plea to stay with her newborn, Montemayor recalled that even senator Ninoy Aquino himself was released under humanitarian reasons when he needed to undergo a heart surgery in the United States in 1980. Noting the very similar circumstances, it is only right that Oliveros be given that chance as well to take care of her baby.###

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References:
Carlos Montemayor, RN
Spokesperson, Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance
Mobile Number: 0909-1133038