Another Morong 43 mom gives birth; detained doctor also brought to PGH

Ma. Mercedes Castro or Mercy Castro, one of the Morong 43 moms just gave birth yesterday, October 18, to a baby girl thru caesarian section at the Philippine General Hospital.

“We are happy that despite all the suffering and injustice Mercy and Morong 43 endured, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. We hope that she and her child will no longer be threatened of being separated out of an unjust and illegal detention”said Dr. Julie Caguiat, spokesperson, FREE THE MORONG 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE.

“We maintain our call that the Mercy Castro be immediately released not just because of humanitarian reasons but the because of the prolonged injustice against her and the Morong 43 collectively” Caguiat said.

Mercy Castro had a delicate pregnancy because of her asthma and made worse because her pregnancy was spent mostly in jail considering that Morong 43 have been illegally detained for 8 months. During her pregnancy, she has been denied pre-natal check-up twice. Castro is the second detaineee to birth among the Morong 43. Earlier, Judilyn Oliveros also gave birth at the PGH where she now remains under hospital detention as she breastfeeds her child.

The group said they would take legal actions to allow Castro to be released in order to recover and take care of her newborn. “We expect that the Aquino administration and the court gives due recognition of this fact and alllow Castro to recover and take care of her child, just like Judilyn Oliveros and just like every mother should” Dr. Caguiat said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Merry-Mia Clamor, 34 yrs old, was brought to PGH today because of her scheduled medical check-up. The doctor has since been suffering from hypertension and diabetes. The Morong RTC court allowed the medical consultation thru a court order dated October 5. Clamor was also brought back today to Camp Bagong Diwa and is set to admitted again to PGH following recommendations of an endocrinologist and thru another order from the court.

Ultimately, the group urges the Aquino administration to immediately move to withdraw the case against the Morong 43.

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Reference:
Dr. Julie Caguiat
Spokesperson, FREE THE 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE
Mobile – 0909 113 3038 / 0919 486 1580