The suspension of 4 members of the Manila Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the leave of absence filed by the chief of the Manila Police District may not be enough to appease public outrage over the bloody hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand.

“What the Filipino people and the world are asking is who among the officials of the national government was on top of the situation from the start. The fact that it involved foreign nationals and that it had become an international incident, it would not be enough to leave the matter to the discretion of a police district director or city officials,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

I appeal for the immediate release of Carina “Judilyn” Oliveros for humanitarian reasons. She had just undergone Caesarian section delivery. She should be allowed to recover and take care of her newborn child outside of the confines of prison. Her petition for release on recognizance in order for her to breastfeed her child for at least six months should have been granted. Moreover, her transfer in handcuffs from the Philippine General Hospital to Camp Bagong Diwa is inhumane.

Another detainee, Ms. Mercedes (Mercy) Castro, will also soon give birth on October. I do not want the same thing to happen to her. I ask for the immediate resolution of the case and hope that all of the Morong 43 would be finally released.

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) called on the Aquino government to formally invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak to look into serious cases of torture from the past and present administrations.

This was in reaction to news reports of a video showing policemen torturing a robbery suspect inside a police station. The policemen involved in the incident have been relieved. They face possible criminal charges under the newly-enacted Anti-Torture Law.

News Release
August 19, 2010

Bayan calls on Aquino admin to review cases of Morong 43 after mom and child brought to Bicutan jail

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) today denounced what it described as the "inhumane" transfer of political detainee Judilyn Oliveros and her three-week-old son from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to the police's Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City. Bayan also said Oliveros and her son's transfer underscores the need for the government to review the cases filed against the "Morong 43."

Oliveros was led out of the Philippine General Hospital on a wheelchair and in handcuffs. She was not able to carry her baby on the trip during the transfer

"A just resolution favoring the farm workers is what we seek. The Supreme Court will be in a position to pave the wayfor the realization of social justice for thousands of farmers. The SC can help end half a century of land monopoly in this part of the Philippines," said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. "With th SC decision, we can either go forward with land reform or be set backwards even futher than before."