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UP Manila, UPCM-PGH demand justice for arrested doctor

Philippines | National

UP Manila, UPCM-PGH demand justice for arrested doctor

By Gabriela Baron

The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and UP College of Medicine-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) raised concern for the safety of arrested UPM alumna Dr. Natividad "Naty" Castro.

Dr. Naty Castro (Photo courtesy of Castro's family)

In a statement, UP Manila expressed concern that Navaro, another doctor practicing in the underserved areas, is "being maligned and red-tagged."

The University noted that Natividad has dedicated her medical career to providing health services to the poor in the rural areas of Agusan and other parts of Mindanao since her graduation in 1996.

"She has become a staunch human rights defender, specifically of the Lumands and Indigenous communities whom she has been attending to all these years," UP Manila said.

"She is practicing what the UP has envisioned its graduates to be--community-oriented using the primary health care approach intended for the underserved," it added.

The UPCM-PGH echoed this, demanding that Natividad to be immediately released and be restored unharmed to her family as soon as possible.

"Dr. Castro did nothing but live up to the ideals of a doctor that the country invested in. Her 26-year career is not of wrongdoing but that of selfless service to the poor and the marginalized," it said.

READ MORE: Groups, batchmates of detained health worker call for her release

Castro was arrested on Friday, Feb. 18, in her home in Barangay San Perfecto, San Juan City by virtue of an arrest warrant dated Jan. 30, 2022.

Police records accused Castro of being a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee member and alleged head of the CPP-New People's Army (NPA) National Health Bureau based in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City.

However, Castro’s family denied the police’s allegation that she is a communist rebel and a member of the CPP Central Committee.

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Philippine General Hospital University of the Philippines College of Medicine

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