‘Don’t do an IIRC whitewash’ with DOJ recoms on Morong 43 – KMU warns PNoy

With president Aquino still not issuing a final decision on the Morong 43’s case a week after DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima has submitted her review and recommendations, Kilusang Mayo Uno intensified demands for Aquino to order the release of the 43 health workers, and warned him against “doing the same thing as what he did with the IIRC report.”
 
“We are optimistic that de Lima recommended the release and drop of charges on the 43 health workers. The longer the case stays on Aquino’s hand for finalization, we can’t help but worry, given the precedent he had set with the IIRC recommendations,” KMU chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said.
 
“We hope not see the same act of ‘gross modifications’ to be done with the Morong 43’s case, as what Aquino has proven to be capable of doing.
 
“The 43 health workers, now with two new-born babies, have long been innocent and are victims of illegal arrest. They continue to be in jail despite failures to prove the crimes accused against them. President Aquino need not review their case in the first place, the Morong 43 should not be in jail and should have been freed on his first day in office.
 
“What needs investigation actually is the rampant slapping of criminal charges by the military against progressive citizens,” Labog added.
 
“If Aquino can grant amnesty to soldiers who participated in coups, why can’t he order the release of health workers and activists who do not need amnesty because no crime can be claimed against them in the first place?” Labog said. #