Representative Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino today condemned the alleged harassment and sexual molestation of detained female health workers by their military guards in Camp Capinpin.

“It’s despicable, a very, very serious allegation. What bothers me most is that the AFP is easily dismissing it as ‘black propaganda’ instead of investigating the matter.”

“If they do not investigate immediately, the AFP would then be coddling and protecting the perpetrators. If this is true, it is are a clear violation of all humanitarian, criminal and moral laws and perpetrators should be punished, (and) more reason to release Morong 43 ASAP,” he said.

Palatino also called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct a probe on the complaints of the female detainees.

“It is not easy for a woman to disclose to the public that she has been sexually abused, especially under duress.”

43,000 signatures

Kabataan Partylist also announced that it will launch a campus-based signature drive calling for the immediate release of the Morong 43.

The youth party-list aims to gather 43,000 signatures before classes end this March. The signatures will be submitted to Senate and Congress committees on human rights, Supreme Court, and AFP Commander-In-Chief Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. ###