Free the Morong 43

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development raises alarm on the abduction, illegal detention and torture of 43 doctors and health workers by the combined elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police last February 6, 2010.

The continued illegal detention and torture of the 43 individuals endangers their lives and their career as health workers and jeopardizes the welfare of their patients and constituents. The deplorable incident also casts a dark cloud of fear among other health workers who advocate and promote community-based health care.

Among those arrested were Dr. Alexis Montes of Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED), Dr. Merry Mia and Ms. Teresa Quinawayan of the Council for Health and Development (CHD).

This individuals, along with the other health workers are in the forefront of community-based health programs, providing both curative and preventive health interventions. IOHSAD has been working for many years with this two non-governmental organizations.

We have personally worked with Dr. Mia, Dr. Montes and Ms. Quinawayan during medical missions in the communities of Metro Manila. The latest collaboration was during the relief operations after the destruction of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng.

We call on the authorities to immediately release Dr. Merry Mia, Dr. Alexis Montes, Ms. Teresa Quinawayan and the 40 other health workers.