Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño today called on Pres. Benigno Aquino III to "look deep into his heart" and recall the hunger strike done by his father Ninoy in considering his position on the 43 illegally detained health workers who started an indefinite hunger strike last week to press for their freedom.
"Being Ninoy's son, Noynoy should know that an indefinite hunger strike is no joke. It is a protest that could lead to death. He should realize that just like his father, the Morong 43 are taking such a drastic step because of a deep conviction that they are being unjustly detained and denied of their rights," Casiño said.
In 1975, Ninoy Aquino went on a hunger strike to protest the trumped up charges against him heard by a military tribunal. He lifted the strike after 40 days on the appeal of his family and supporters who were worried about his serious condition.
In similar fashion, the 43 health workers illegally arrested in Morong, Rizal last February began their indefinite hunger strike last week, stating that this is the only course of action left for them to end their continued illegal detention and press government to grant their unconditional release.
“It is unfortunate that despite acknowledging the irregularity of the arrest, Pres. Aquino refuses to initiate the release of the Morong 43 due to the objection of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He should learn from his father who went on strike on the same ground - that he was being illegally detained and denied of his rights,” Casiño said.
“In memory of Ninoy, I appeal to the President to take a definitive step for human rights and justice in the country by ordering the dropping of charges against the Morong 43 and effecting their release," said Casiño.
The lawmaker also asked the House leadership to take an unequivocal stand in support of the widening calls for the release of the Morong 43.
Casiño is an author of House Resolution 555 that calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43 and all political prisoners, including the dropping of trumped-up charges against activists and political dissenters. The resolution has been pending at the Committee on Justice since November 8, 2010.
“The House of Representatives, as a major institution of our country’s life can and should officially extend this gesture of justice and goodwill by calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43 and all other political prisoners. The adoption of HR 555 will also help in attaining an atmosphere conducive to the peace process,” Casiño said. #
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