Hospital group seeks justice for slain doc

George Repique Jr. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) condemned the murder of Dr. George Repique Jr., the Cavite provincial health officer who was gunned down on Tuesday in Trece Martires City.

In a statement, the organization urged authorities to conduct a thorough and speedy investigation on the killing of Repique, who served as Cavite’s provincial health officer for seven years.

“We demand swift retributive justice for our beloved colleague, not only to give his life of service no less than what it deserves and a peace [to] his family,” said PHA president Dr. Jesus Jardin.

Jardin said ensuring justice for Repique would also “make a firm stance for physicians and all the health professionals working tirelessly for the underprivileged.”

Repique was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Trece Martires City on Tuesday evening, the third government physician to be killed this year.

In March, Dr. Dreyfus Perlas was gunned down in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte while ophthalmologist Dr. Sajid “Jaja” Sinolinding was killed in Cotabato City in April.

The PHA condemned “in the strongest terms” the death of Repique, whom they described as a “progressive, strong-willed person” and a “compassionate physician and educator.”

For its part, the Department of Health extended its sympathies to Repique’s family as Health secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial expressed her grief over the murder.

“We have lost yet another dedicated health worker and I am extremely saddened by the fact that he was the third victim in a row after the still unresolved killings early this year,” Ubial said in a statement.

The health secretary also appealed to local government units to offer better protection to its doctors and health workers.

“We ask our local governments to please protect our doctors and health workers! Help them so they can serve you better,” Ubial said.