House probe sought on arrest of doctor who helped ‘lumad’ set up health centers

The plenary hall of the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Three lawmakers are urging a committee in the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry into the arrest of a doctor who helped “lumad” people set up community health centers.

House Resolution No. 2496 filed Monday, a copy of which was shared to the media on Tuesday, urges the House committee on human rights to condemn and investigate the case of Dr. Ma. Natividad Marian “Naty” Castro who was recently nabbed by a composite team of police and military intelligence operatives.

The resolution was filed by Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, and Eufemia Cullamat.

The lawmakers said Castro, who is also a human-rights defender, was a victim of “red-tagging and harassment.”

“The Philippines has a shortage of health workers with only one doctor every 33,000 persons. There are even less doctors in remote areas. Amid the poor government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe shortage of health workers, the continuing harassment against our doctors is unacceptable and highly condemnable,” the lawmakers said.

“Doctors and health workers, especially those who chose to serve the most depressed rural areas should be given support by the government, not subjected to unlawful arrests of possibly fabricated charges,” they added.

The lawmakers stressed that Congress must “defend the rights of our people and check on excesses and violations, especially in this time of crisis.”

“It must bring perpetrators to account to put a stop to the killings and rights violations against its people. Laws and rules should serve the interest of our people, and should not be weaponized to suppress their rights and oppress them,” the lawmakers said.

Castro is an accused in Criminal Case No. 6527 for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, with the court recommending no bail for her release.

The PNP, in its statement on Friday, identified Castro as a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee, and head of the CPP-New People’s Army’s (NPA) national health bureau based in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City.

Human rights group Karapatan in the Caraga region, however, argued that the accusations against Castro were fabricated.

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