‘Morong 43’ women first to walk out of detention

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Six hours after their lawyers received the courts' orders to discharge them, the female members of the so-called "Morong 43," the group of health workers arrested 10 months ago in Morong, Rizal, on suspicion of being communist rebels, were the first to be released from detention late Friday night.

Delia Ocasla was greeted with cheers from relatives and supporters when she emerged from the gates of the BJMP jail at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City at 11 p.m.

She was the first detainee to be freed among the 23 women detainees after 10 months and 7 days in detention.

Shortly after Ocasla, the other women detainees stepped out of the gates with wide smiles and clenched left fists raised.

The women carried their belongings in plastic bags. One detainee carried a sign that said "Maraming salamat po sa mga sumuporta sa Morong 43 (Many thanks to all supporters of Morong 43)."

Lawyers of the group said the release of the 15 male detainees will be delayed as they were still being processed.

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Morong 43 released from Camp Bagong Diwa

(Photo by Mike Alquinto/NPPA Images)