The CHR chair cited Republic Act 7438 in pointing out the visitation rights of detainees. “Relatives, doctors, lawyers must be allowed [to visit.] Doctors and lawyers need not be deputized by the commission in order to be granted visits. The military, if they want to, can always allow access,” she said.

Urgent Request

Capulong asked the CHR to support their motion for the transfer of the Morong 43 to Camp Crame, the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) “While they are there [Camp Capinpin], they can never be at ease. This is our most urgent request.”

De Lima said it also bothers the CHR why the military is insisting on holding on to the detainees. “The search warrant was issued by a civilian court so why do they keep detaining the health workers at Camp Capinpin?” she asked. The law prescribes that detainees be brought to the nearest police detention cell.

“Their alleged offense is illegal possession of firearms, which is punishable by law, not a violation of the articles of war or anything under the jurisdiction of the military,” de Lima added.

Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairwoman of Karapatan, thanked de Lima for responding swiftly to the case of the 43 health workers. (Bulatlat.com)

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