MANILA, Dec. 10, 2010—An ecumenical group urged President Benigno Aquino to live the spirit of the Advent season by releasing the 43 health workers and other political detainees.
The Promotion of Church People’s Response in a statement released on December 2, asked the President to observe the Advent season by doing justice to the illegally detained Morong 43.
“Unconditionally releasing from detention victims of political harassment is one of the doable acts a President ought to be doing during this period when Christians are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,†the statement read.
The 43 health workers have been in detention for the past nine months. Two women in the group have given birth while in jail.
The workers’ continued detention has taken toll on the lives of their families and people who depend on their health services, the group said in the statement.
The group urged Aquino to exercise his power as chief executive and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Morong 43.
“… since the arrest was jointly executed by the combined elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of the Philippine National Police, as their commander in chief, the President is mandated to discipline his forces and to hold those involved in violating people’s rights accountable,†they pointed out.
The ecumenical group scored Malacanang’s decision to leave the case to the courts, saying the present administration should act justly and correct the mistakes the previous government failed to do.
“The season of advent is the best opportunity for the Aquino administration to reflect, and judge in favor of the oppressed and act promptly to achieve justice in our land,†they said.
“It is the best time of the year for President Aquino to lead the government in its journey on the “right and straight path†by bringing about justice in real life by unconditionally releasing the 43 health workers and the other political detainees,†the group further said. (CBCPNews)
