Dear Friends and Comrades,

The Committee for Asian Women would like to send its deeply concerns regarding the illegal arrest and detention of more than 40 health workers in Bgy. Maybangkal Morong Rizal on February 06 2010, on suspicion of being members of the New People’s Army.  The arrested individuals are undertaking a training on emergency response when they were raided by a joint operation of the Philippine Army (IBPA) and the Rizal Philippine National Police (PNP).

In the past decade alone, the Philippines has suffered from natural and man-made calamities that has hit the country with devastating effects. Government has been widely criticised for being incompetent and not having the resources to properly respond to these national emergencies, that private citizens have had to take up rescue and rehabilitation efforts by themselves. The individuals who were arrested are private citizens who may be able to make a difference in the future in terms of providing health services and emergency response where the government cannot reach the people.

It is extremely regrettable therefore that the Philippine army and police – usually tasked to respond to the same national emergencies, should treat these health workers as “enemies” instead of much needed help. Raiding and arresting health workers are consequently inimical to the national interest of the Philippines.

Therefore Committee for Asian Women urgently calls for the immediate release of the arrested health workers, the return of their belongings and an investigation into the illegal search and arrest of their training venue.

Please support this appeal by writing to the concerned officials in the attached fact sheet. Thank you.

In solidarity,

Lucia V. Jayaseelan

Executive Coordinator

Committee for Asian Women (CAW)