HEALTH SECTOR CONDEMNS ATTEMPT ON LIFE OF DOCTOR, HOLDS GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO RESPONSIBLE

The health sector under the banner of Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) condemns in the strongest terms possible the ambush of Dr. Constancio Claver last July 31, 2006 in Kalinga province by unidentified armed men. The attack killed Dr. Claver’s wife, Alice, and seriously injured Dr. Claver himself.

Chandu, as Dr. Claver is fondly called, is an icon held in very high regard by doctors and colleagues in the health sector for his dedication in serving the poor and marginalized. For more than a decade, he has worked with grassroots communities through the community-based health programs (CBHPs) in the Cordilllera region.
“Dr. Chandu has chosen to serve in areas where health care from the government is almost non-existent. He led a simple life and dedicated his time to uplifting the lives of his patients. Thus, the attack on him and his family is atrocious not only in its intent but on the manner and viciousness by which it was perpetrated.” decried Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos, HEAD Secretary-General. The couple’s vehicle was strafed while on their way back from bringing their two children to school. Their child, 7-year old Sandy, was with them during the attack. Although physically unhurt, she is still in shock and may be traumatized for life.

HEAD believes that the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is behind this attack. Through the AFP’s Oplan Bantay Laya, there has been a systematic killing of militant activists, mass leaders, and even journalists. These killings have been perpetrated with impunity but rather than address the gross display of human rights violations, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emulated the perpetrators by singling-out Gen. Jovito Palparan in her recent State of the nation Address (SONA).

As such, HEAD holds Mrs. Arroyo directly accountable. “Are doctors now considered enemies of the State and targets of Mrs. Arroyo’s all-out war? Are doctors who choose to work in the far-flung areas outside the ambit of government patronage now considered NPA supporters and can be subjected to extrajudicial killing? Or are we just “acceptable collateral damage” as Sec. Raul Gonzalez lucidly puts it?” Added Dr. Nisperos. “It is clear that the impetus for the wanton and escalating violence is the implicit approval of the ruling regime and Mrs. Arroyo herself.”

By doing nothing more than token pronouncements, Mrs. Arroyo is sending the message that her regime has no place for those who challenge her anti-people policies, who she calls Leftists or communists, and will tolerate, even instigate, their elimination through her so-called “War on Terror”. The complicity of Mrs. Arroyo in the escalating wave of political killings is clear and palpable, even as her stand is echoed by the AFP and PNP in rationalizing the murders.

The blood of Mrs. Alice Claver, the 717 victims who came before her, as well as the many more who will come after if the killings are not stopped, are on the hands of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. HEAD condemns and rejects Mrs. Arroyo’s dictatorship. We call on the people, especially doctors and members of the health sector, to unite and fight the fascist violence being imposed by Mrs. Arroyo, and end her all-out war against the Filipino people. ###

Reference: Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos, Secretary-General
Mobile phone: 0916 2145724