Military leaves health workers' fate to court

After their transfer to a regular detention facility, a spokesman said the military is keeping its hands off the case of the 38 of the 43 health workers arrested last February. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Sunday it is now the court that decides what to do with the 38. "Bahala na riyan ang korte... Wala na kaming ano riyan, nakakahinga na kami diyan (The court now has jurisdiction over the 38. We will have nothing to do with them. We can breathe a sigh of relief)," Burgos said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the military already sought the transfer of the 38 since March, with the court granting it only last month. The military arrested last February 43 health workers (popularly called the “Morong 43") in Morong town in Rizal province over suspicion they were members of the New People’s Army (NPA). On the other hand, Burgos said the five who he claimed admitted to be NPAs would stay in Camp Capinpin and avail of the social reintegration program for rebel returnees. "Ito nagbalik loob at gusto mag-avail sa social reintegration program (They wanted to avail of the social reintegration program)," he said. The military confirmed Saturday it moved 38 of the 43 health workers to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The 38 were supposed to be transferred to Camp Crame in Quezon City, but the Philippine National Police requested that they be transferred somewhere else, citing the “risks" of transferring the suspected rebels to the police facility in Quezon City. At present, the 38 health workers are facing illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Meanwhile, Burgos said the military continues to focus on helping ensure the May 10 elections are clean. He scored speculations of an "Oplan Full Moon," a supposed plot involving the military to thwart the election results. "Kathang isip ito ng taong gustong sirain ang katahimikan at kapayapaan sa ating bansa (It is the figment of the imagination of those who want to disrupt our peace and order)," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV