Communist leader Tiamzon asks court for medical checkup

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged Communist Party of the Philippines leader Wilma Tiamzon has asked a Quezon City court to allow her to undergo medical check up at the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) for severe back pains.

Through her legal counseil Edre olalia, Tiamzon filed a four-page motion before the sala of Judge Madonna Echiverri of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 to undergo an immediate medical check-up at the NKTI.

In her motion, she said the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, where she is now detained, has no adequate facilities and specialists to examine, evaluate and to do further tests.

Last  August 20, Tiamzon was examined by Dr. Geneve Reyes of the Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR) after she complained of recurring dizziness, fatigue and extreme back pains.

Olalia said that based on the recommendation of Reyes, his client should undergo further evaluation through thorough examination of her condition and other diagnostic procedures.

He said there is a need to determine the possible management to relieve her of the pain.

"As the tests can be done all together in a well-equipped hospital, examining doctor has recommended the NKTI along East Avenue in Quezon City for temporary confinement while the pertinent diagnostic tests are conducted. NKTI is easily accessible from where accused is detained as it is just a few kilometers away from the PNP General Hospital where accused is presently detained," the motion read.

The court has given the prosecution five days to comment on the motion.