Morong 43 lawyers accuse military of coercing health workers

Saturday, 06 March 2010 10:20 AM Angeli Sabillo

Lawyers of 43 health workers detained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed to Inquirer.net their suspicions that three of the “Morong 43” are being forced by the military to turn against their fellow detainees.

Julius Matibag, lawyer of the health workers, told Inquirer.

net it is likely that the three “would turn state witness under duress.”

“It’s divide and conquer,” Matibag said.

Inquirer.net, based on Matibag's account, pointed out several instances where the three detainees were singled out: first, the AFP finally agreed to transfer the health workers to Camp Crame except for three of them - Valentino Paulino, Cherily Tawagon, and Eleanor Carandang. These three were also the only ones who were said to have denied being tortured or harmed by the military.

Second, a certain Cyrus Jurado appeared for the arraignment this Friday to represent Paulino, Tawaon and Carandang. Jurado explained that he took on the case after he was asked by a friend who was a rebel returnee.

Rachel Pastores, another lawyer of the Morong 43 told Inquirer, “That is unethical. We have not withdrawn our appearances as counsel and he knows that.”

The three were also said to have executed affidavits affirming that the military has done them no harm.

Lastly, Matibag noted that “on their way to Branch 78 acting Judge Amorfina Cerrado-Cesar Friday for the arraignment, the three were placed in a van, while the 40 other accused were on a bus.”

The Rizal court deferred the arraignment of the 43 today (on accussations that they are members of the New People's Army) because of their appeal to uphold petitions earlier filed.

Gmanews.tv earlier reported that “the workers had made it known to them that they prefer to stay in Camp Capinpin due to better facilities there.” Adding, “Militant and human rights groups have condemned the military for the continuous detention of the 43. They also quoted doctors and lawyers as claiming that the health workers were tortured. The military denied the accusation.”

Alternative media website Bulatlat.com reported that initial findings of the Commission on Human Rights “deemed that the following rights of the 43 health workers were violated: right to be secure from unreasonable seizure and arrest, right against illegal and incommunicado detention and torture (physical and mental/psychological) and their right to counsel and visitors. CHR doctors who examined the detainees found injuries on the wrists, head/eye areas or arms/forearms, which are consistent with the claims of tight handcuffing and/or blindfolding, as well as rough handling during arrest.”

Today marks the first month since the “Morong 43” were “arrested” in Rizal. Hours ago, hundreds of relatives and supporters protested in Mendiola for the release of the 43. Pictures were immediately uploaded by the participants through Facebook.