Detained health workers launch hunger strike in Philippines

Dec 3, 2010, 6:28 GMT

Manila - About detained 40 health workers in the Philippines suspected of being communist rebels on Friday launched a hunger strike to demand their immediate release.

The suspects said they had been conducting a medical training seminar in Morong town in Rizal province, 35 kilometres east of Manila, when they were arrested on February 6.

But the military have accused the 43 health workers of being communist rebels meeting to plan attacks. The alleged rebels have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives reportedly seized during the raid.

An investigation by the Department of Justice in September concluded the arrest had been made on the basis of a 'defective warrant.' President Benigno Aquino III, who is to respond to the report, has not yet taken action on the case.

'Today we begin our hunger strike,' said a statement released Friday by the detainees. 'This is the only course of action left to us to end our continued illegal detention, there being no clear action by the government for our unconditional release.'

During the past 10 months, the detainees alleged they were 'tortured physically and psychologically, deprived of sleep, subjected to various indignities, threatened with harm, denied legal counsel for several days.'

'Planted evidence was used and false charges were filed against us,' they added.

According to human rights group Karapatan, only 38 of the health workers would be joining the hunger strike. Two who gave birth while in detention will only be supporting the protest action.

The other three have admitted to being communist rebels, but human rights activists believe the confessions were coerced.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said the hunger strike was a 'surprise' to the government.

'We'd like to assure the (detained health workers) and their families that something is already being done to rectify the situation,' she said.