We, nurses,  representing various organizations and health institutions in both public and private sectors join the collective outrage over the illegal detention of 43 health workers who were abducted early morning of February 6,2010  by some 300 fully armed, combined elements of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the Rizal Philippine National Police while holding a health skills training seminar in a private farmhouse in Morong,Rizal.

We demand their immediate release from the military camp where they are being illegally held with no formal charges filed against them but for mere allegations and suspicions of "subversive" association.

 The organizers of the training activity, namely the Council  for Health and Development and the Community Medicine  Foundation, affirmed that those abducted were doctors, nusre, midwife and civilian health volunteers affiliated with health NGO's or representatives of people's organizations  who gathered to learn, harness health knowledge and skills that they will use to  serve poor communities and underserved sectors in far-flung areas.

The house owner, a respected medical specialist at the  PGH also condemned the brazenness of the armed troop and raged at the impunity by which the illegal raid and arrest were done.The doctor, an advocate and supporter of community health service attested to the training seminar where she was also a resource person.

This incident is disturbing to say the least , as it imperils people's initiatives and efforts to build their own capacities and capabilities to manage their health needs in the absence of adequate public service. For health professionals like us, who may be considering the option of public service in the country side, this incidence is terrifying.   For it is not only material comfort that one will be giving up when one  chooses the selfless path of service to the poor, but possibly one's life, as well.

We call on the civilian authorities, specifically the Department of Health, to assert its civilian supremacy over the military  by demanding for the unconditional release of the health workers whose rights were severely  violated when they were arrested not in the act of doing a crime, but while pursuing their civic calling. 

We demand that the 43 health workers be surfaced immediately and brought to the  proper legal courts to face off their military accusers and man-handlers.

We demand a stop to the harassment of health workers serving in the countryside.

Signed by NURSES, February 9,2010,

1. Teresita I. Barcelo           Philippine Nurses Association

2. Eufemia F. Octaviano       Consulting Office

3. Shirley V. Pena               Catholic Nurses Guild of the Philippines

4. Annabelle  R. Borromeo

5. Leyden V. Florido

6. Eularito A. Tagalog          OHNAP

7. Lucila V. Soltes               Catholic Nurses Guild of the Philippines

8.Carmelita Divinagracia     

9.Virginia Ducusin

10. Caridad M. Galban         Ang Nars

11. Girlie M. Gonzaga          Philippine Nurses Association

12. Leah Samaco-Paquiz     Ang Nars

13. Flor P. Burgos             East Avenue Medical Center

14. Cathline D. Avellano

15.Carmencita A. Lingan    SCVNPPI

16.Cynthia Argiente          SCVNPPI

17. Carmencita Espeleta     ORNAP

18.Lourdes Marie Tejero

19. Fenina R. Tuparan

20. Remy L. Fernandez

21. Maristela P. Abenojar    Philippine Nurses Association 

22.Elearnor M. Nolasco       NARS