Protest letter condemning military abduction of 43 health workers in Rizal 18 February, 2010 H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo President of the Republic Malacañang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila Philippines Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968 E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph Re: Protest at military abduction of 43 health workers in Rizal Dear Madam President On behalf of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), which represents two million workers and strong supporters of democratic rights, I am writing to protest in the strongest possible terms at the abuse of power by the Armed Forces of the Philippines by detaining 43 health workers. The ACTU has been informed that early on 6 February, 2010, 43 health workers who were taking part in a First Responders Training, sponsored by the Community Medicine Foundation, Inc. (COMMED) and Council for Health and Development (CHD) at Dr Melecia Velmonte’s Farm, a conference and training facility in Morong, Rizal. We are alarmed at the many cases of trade union and human rights violations including abductions, harassment, intimidation, extra-judicial executions, illegal arrest and militarisation in workplaces and communities. Workers who assert their democratic rights and fight for social justice have been branded as terrorists, communists and “enemies of the state” and are being attacked with impunity under the guise of counter-terrorism. Union leaders, workers, peasants and other social justice activists have been targeted, having their lives and livelihoods threatened. As a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), we urge your Government to respect the fundamental labour rights and principles of freedom of association and respect the Filipino worker’s right to organise, to bargain collectively, the right to strike and to exercise their democratic rights. The good reputation of your country is at stake so long as the repressive campaign against workers continues. We also call on you, as the President, to take immediate action to release without charge the 43 health workers who were illegally arrested and to ensure the safety of the victims and that they are not harmed; and to stop the political killings, harassment, intimidation and repression of all trade unions and workers. We expect your government to take the necessary decisive action to ensure that justice is upheld and to respect trade unions and human rights. I await your reply. Yours sincerely Sharan Burrow PRESIDENT