By Dr. Merry B. Mia-Clamor, one of 43 health workers illegally arrested on February 6, 2010 and detained in Camp Gen. Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal. She wrote this statement after the visit of Health Sec. Esperanza Cabral last March 19, 2010.

The visit of DOH Secretary Cabral and doctors from the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine General Hospital (and some from the Army) and my son’s pediatrician, Dr. Abad has made me decide to finally break my silence.

Since our arrest last February 6 in Morong, there were only few occasions where I speak my heart’s content, few times where I let out the words inside my head. It is as if my feelings and thoughts were locked with me here in my detention cell. Maybe it’s my unconscious attempt to self-preservation – – – to keep my sanity intact! Why? There is no good reason for our captors in doing what they did then!

As I told them, every time I recall the day we were illegally arrested and detained is in itself a torture for me. The shouting, the guns pointing at us, the blindfold, the handcuffed, the nasty interrogations and threats and the feeling of helplessness and futility in front of all the irregularities in the  process. These would make my breathing heavy and my feet cold. The mere sound of gate or doors opening awakes and alerts me. The thoughts of my children being taken cared of only by their yaya are unbearable.

We are just ordinary citizens trying to learn and make our contributions to our communities. We are not playing heroes who try to save the world and be recognized by doing so. It is enough for us to help alleviate pain, care for the sick and at times save lives. Just a simple smile or thanks as appreciation. Surely this is also the sentiment of our fellow community doctors, nurses and paramedics and health workers.

It is our hope that this incident (detention) would not discourage all those who are out there serving in the farthest and remote communities. For me surely (Morong 43) won’t be deterred in continuing our endeavor. It is now more than ever that we should be resolved to go on with what we do because we have the whole world behind supporting our humble mission of bringing health to the needy — proving that our efforts are not in vain.

To my beloved colleagues, our utmost appreciation to all of your support and concern. I have always been proud that I belong in this noble profession. But I’ve never been this honored and inspired as I am right now. That our institution (medical) – with the most looked up to and respected people is united in seeking justice during this time that our duties are put into a test. That we are one in our goal of serving the people as inscribed in the Article 1 Section 1 of our medical ethics “the primary objective of the practice of medicine is service to mankind, irrespective of race, creed or political affiliation. In its practice, reward or financial gain should be a subordinate consideration.”

(Dr. Merry Clamor is the Director of the Health Education, Training and Services of the Council for Health and Development and has served and trained thousands of patients and health workers in the urban and rural areas.  She was also very active in rendering health services to the victims of Ondoy ang Pepeng in 2009)