Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) 2/F Doń a Anita Bldg 284 E. Rodriguez Ave. Quezon City Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com Press Release 23 June 2007 Gov't Troops Should Stop Harassing Health Personnel -- HEAD A group of doctors today condemned the military's harassment of health personnel working in the countryside. Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), a nationwide organization of allied health professionals, health workers, and students, made this statement after receiving a report regarding health personnel in Kalinga province who were questioned and maltreated by soldiers belonging to the 21 st and 77th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army while holding a clinic at Sitio Ubel, Barangay Gawaan, Balbalan, Kalinga last June 16 and 17. The four-member health team included a doctor and a nurse who were working for CHESTCORE, a community-based health program in the Cordillera region. They were attending to indigent patients when the harassments were perpetrated. "The continuing intervention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in medical missions and community clinics directly contravenes the provision of much needed health services to the poor." said Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos, HEAD secretary-general. "It also sends a chilling effect to the health sector amidst the unabated exodus of health workers. But rather than help promote the provision of health services through the participation of various sectors, the government is creating a climate of fear and obstructionism." HEAD also assailed the Arroyo administration's policy of targeting non-government organizations in its counter-insurgency program, including health NGOs that provide the services that its own line agencies cannot provide. "CHESTCORE has been providing medical services and health training to the people of the Cordilleras as a CBHP for over a decade." continued Dr. Nisperos. "But rather than obtain assistance and recognition from government, health NGOs like CHESTCORE are subjected to all forms of harassment, from black propaganda to outright armed intrusions in community clinics." HEAD is wary that this sort of harassment only portends worse to come. "The rate that fundamental human rights are being violated with impunity by state security forces is ominous of more widespread and blatant violations once the Human Security Act becomes enforced next month." concluded Dr. Nisperos. "The health sector, and the Filipino people, should be prepared and hold the Arroyo administration accountable." ### References: Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos Secretary-General 0916 214 5724 Philip Paraan Information Officer 0915 757 7737