UP Manila demands justice for arrested red-tagged doctor

RED TAGGED Dr. Ma. Natividad Marian “Naty” Castro, who graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital in 1995.

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) on Sunday expressed concern for the safety of its alumna, Dr. Ma. Natividad “Naty” Castro, who was arrested after being accused of kidnapping a member of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary.

“We are all concerned in the UP Manila community including the UP College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital that another doctor practicing in the underserved areas where we have asked our graduates to serve is again being maligned and red tagged,” said the UPM in a statement.

The university expressed hope that Castro will not end up like her fellow alumni Dr. Bobby De la Paz, Dr. Johnny Escandor, and Dr. Lou Tangco who were killed during Martial Law after being linked to the communist movement while serving in underserved areas of the country.

“We pray this does not happen to Dr. Naty. May justice be served and her rights under the rule of law be respected and upheld,” it said.

The UPM said Castro, who graduated with the UPM College of Medicine Class of 1995, dedicated her medical career to providing health services in the rural areas of Agusan and other parts of Mindanao after graduation.

It added that she was also the one who brought the plight of the Lumad community to the United Nations in Geneva and to the European Union Council in Brussels.

“She has become a staunch human rights defender, specifically of the lumads and indigenous communities whom she has been attending to all these years. She is practicing what the UP has envisioned its graduates to be—community oriented using the primary health care approach intended for the underserved,” UPM said in the statement.

The statement released by the UPM was signed by UPM chancellor Dr. Carmencita Padilla, Philippine General Hospital director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, UPM College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong, and UP Medical Alumni Society president Ma. Cristina Crisologo.

This came after Castro, who gave free medical services in far-flung areas, was accused of kidnapping a member of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary and has reportedly been put under the custody of the police in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights earlier said it is already investigating possible violations made by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in arresting Castro.

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